DICT on SIM registration lull: Reinforce strategies to engage more users to participate

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday, Feb. 20 stressed the importance of reinforcing campaign strategies to remind and engage the public to comply with the mandatory SIM registration.

DICT admitted that it has observed a “slowdown” in the number of SIM registrants. But instead of embracing this lull, public telecommunication entities (PTEs) were encouraged to use it as an “opportunity” to make subscribers register their cards.

Suggested strategies include the strengthening of information and education campaigns.

“Our messaging should focus on three points. First, the SIM Registration is mandatory. Those who are unable to register after the deadline would no longer be able to use their SIM. Second, the law is a protection against fraud and scams, a deterrent to crimes perpetrated through calls and text messages. Finally, the government and the telcos are working together to help the public comply with the law, because the people’s participation is vital in ensuring the success of this endeavor,” said DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo in a press conference on Monday.

The latest SIM registration tally issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) indicated that only 20.43 percent or 34,518,516 SIMs have so far been registered in the country. This means that at least 134,459,257 users have yet to register their cards as of writing.

Amid this registration lull, Infrawatch PH thinktank warned against the relaxation of registration procedures in order to raise the number of registrants, reiterating that this will "defeat" the purpose of the law.