NTC: Public hearing for Sim Registration’s IRR to be held on Dec. 5.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) disclosed that a public hearing will be held in December for the deliberation of Sim Registration Act’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

“ are inviting all affected and interested parties to a public hearing on the proposed memorandum circular on the Republic Act No. 11934, otherwise known as the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act,” said NTC in an advisory issued on Monday, Nov. 21.

The said public consultation will be held virtually on Monday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.

RA 11934 aims to make end users accountable for their usage of mobile communications by mandating SIM registration. Under the first full draft of the IRR for public consultation, all existing SIM subscribers shall register within 180 days from the effectivity of the Act.

“The registration may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days. Failure to register the existing SIM within the period prescribed shall result in the automatic deactivation of the SIM,” the memorandum read.

In terms of the registration process, individual end-users will be required to submit an accomplished form with the following data: full name, date of birth, sex, present or official address, type of ID presented, and ID number presented.

Earlier, NTC said the measure will help resolve the ongoing problem of text scams and spams which have been troubling mobile users in the country since January 2020.

Meanwhile, SIM registration's IRR is expected to be issued on Dec. 12. Senator Grace Poe, in a plenary deliberation, likewise disclosed that based on the timeline of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the measure will likely take effect on Dec. 27, 2022.