Registration of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) will commence on Tuesday, Dec. 27, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Monday. Dec. 26.

The SIM registration act will take effect on December 27, 2022.

In a press briefing, DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo stated that the implementation of this law shall be at no cost to the end users and that each public telecommunication entity (PTEs) will set up a secure website or platform where users will register their SIM. These are expected to be available on Dec. 27.

She mentioned that DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy hopes that the SIM registration process can be accomplished within 180 days. The agency is encouraging subscribers to register early. The first two weeks will be a test registration, which means that registrations are valid but there could be some difficulties and minor errors as the PTEs fine-tune the implementation process.

"We advise those who experience difficulties, glitches, or technical issues to immediately report to the telcos or relevant government agencies to be addressed accordingly," Lamentillo said.

"We would also like to remind everyone to be mindful of fake websites, phishing, and other scams that may take advantage of people trying to register their SIMs. Please always check the source of the information before following instructions especially if it comes through email or text messages. For registering, it is strongly recommended that people visit the official websites of their providers directly," she added.

The SIM Registration Law aims to protect citizens from fraudulent acts perpetrated through phone calls and text messages. But in order to do this, Lamentillo said that everyone must cooperate in the registration of their SIM cards. She stressed that the sooner that the registration is accomplished, the better so that everyone can start experiencing the effect and protection of the law.

On October 10, 2022, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., signed into law Republic Act No. 11934, An Act Requiring the Registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), or the SIM Registration Law.

According to DICT, the said law aims to protect citizens from fraudulent acts perpetrated through phone calls and text messages.

"With every SIM registered under an individual or an entity’s name, the law hopes to suppress the proliferation of text scams, misinformation, and spam messages, and even deter crimes such as human trafficking, online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and terrorism, among others," Lamentillo said. She stressed that those who are required to register are all SIM subscribers, whether postpaid or prepaid, including embedded SIMs or eSIMs and other variations that are provisioned by any PTE to provide text messages, calls, and/or data services; as well as SIMs intended for data-only or used for fixed wireless broadband modem and/or wireless local loop, machine-to-machine (M2M) service, and/or Internet of Things (IoT).

She also reminded the public that failure to register will result in the deactivation of the SIM, which means the subscriber will not be able to use it. And if an individual intends to buy a new SIM, he/she would need to register first before the SIM is activated.

"All SIM registration will be done online, through the platform that will be provided by the PTEs. To facilitate registration with limited telecommunication or internet access, the DICT and NTC will work with other agencies, local government units, and concerned PTEs to establish registration facilities in such areas," Lamentillo explained.

Generally, individual SIM subscribers can register by accomplishing the registration form provided by PTEs with the following data:

• full name
• date of birth,
• sex
• present/official address
• type of ID presented, and
• the number of the ID presented, which should be a valid government-issued ID with photo, such as Passport, SSS ID, GSIS ID, Driver’s License, NBI or police clearance, OWWA ID, Voter’s ID, among many others.

For minors, the registration of a SIM will be under the name of the minor’s parent or guardian, with the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian and a government-issued valid ID.

Meanwhile, for juridical entity end-users, Lamentillo mentioned that they need to provide the following information:

• business name
• business address, and
• full name of authorized signatory; and present the following documents: certificate of registration, and, in case of corporations, duly adopted resolution designating the authorized representative, and in the case of other juridical entities, a special power of attorney.

Foreign nationals

On the other hand, foreign national end-users, and tourist visa holders will only be issued SIM cards with a 30-day validity period, which can be extended only upon submission of an approved visa extension. Those with other types of visas can acquire SIMs without the 30-day temporary validity period and register the same.

She also mentioned that all foreign nationals should provide the following information:

• full name
• nationality
• date of birth
• passport
• address in the Philippines
• for persons of concern
• the type of travel or admission document presented, and
• ID number or number of document presented.

In addition, foreign nationals visiting as tourists must present their ticket showing the date and time of departure from the Philippines; and those with other types of visas should present any of the following documents, whichever is applicable:

• Alien Employment Permit issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
• Alien Certificate of Registration Identification Card (ACRI Card) issued by the Bureau of Immigration or other types of official ID issued by any other visa-issuing agency;
• school registration and ID for students;
• or for persons of concern, the type of travel or admission document validly issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Responsibility to register

Lamentillo reminded all end-users that it is their responsibility to register their own SIMs with their respective PTEs, and to immediately inform their PTEs if there are changes in the information of the SIM card holder, in case of loss of the SIM, or if the owner wants to deactivate the SIM, the end-user must inform the PTE. In case of the death of an end-user, the immediate family, relatives, or guardian should report to the concerned PTE.

For their part, she stated that the PTEs must ensure that data from the SIM registration are secured and protected at all times. PTEs can only disclose information obtained in the registration when a subpoena has been issued by a competent authority in relation to an investigation that a specific mobile number was used in the commission of a crime or it was used to commit an unlawful act, and the complainant cannot ascertain the identity of the perpetrator.

"Disclosing such information can only be done in accordance with the provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012; in compliance with a court order or legal process upon finding of probable cause; or if there is a written consent of the subscriber," she explained.

"Acts such as disclosing any data of an end-user, unless permitted by law; providing false or fictitious information and/or fraudulent documents; spoofing; sale of stolen SIM cards, among others, are punishable under the law," she added.