Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo disclosed that the department is aiming to hit at least 1 million Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card registration per day.

In a press briefing held on Tuesday, Jan. 10, Lamentillo said the government is currently “on track” of hitting 1 million registrants per day, but she likewise clarified that there could be a “lull” in the registration in the coming days and then a surge again once the deadline nears.

Citing the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) data, the DICT reported that the SIM registration has breached 16 million as of Monday, Jan. 9. This, however, is only 9.56 percent of the nearly 170 million subscribers in the Philippines.

On registration deadline

Although keen on accomplishing all the required registrations within 180 days, the DICT said they are also not ruling out the possibility of an extension.

“We are always willing to extend our implementation period, we are our best first,” said Lamentillo.

“The update is a little bit low because problems occurred during the first few days of the implementation,” she clarified.

Earlier, the DICT encouraged the public to register their SIM cards early. According to Lamentillo, the mandatory registration will serve as the public’s protection against fraudulent scams through texts, calls, and even mobile applications.