Philippines Urges Public to Register SIM Cards before Deadline to Avoid Deactivation and Loss of Mobile Services

Manila, Philippines - The Philippine government has announced that all unregistered mobile SIM cards will be deactivated after April 26, 2023. This move aims to enhance the country's national security measures and prevent illegal activities, such as terrorism and fraud.

The government's decision was made following the recent increase in criminal activities using unregistered SIM cards. In a statement issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the agency stated that unregistered SIM cards pose a significant threat to national security and public safety. The agency urged all mobile phone users in the country to register their SIM cards before the deadline.

NTC also reminded the public that failure to register their SIM cards will result in deactivation. After April 26, 2023, all unregistered SIM cards will be blocked and will no longer have access to mobile services such as calls, texts, and mobile data. This will also affect access to social media, banking transactions, and other financial services that require One-Time-Password (OTP) confirmation.

"We urge the public to register their SIM cards as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience," said NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba. "Mobile phones have become a crucial part of our daily lives, and we understand how important it is to stay connected, especially during these challenging times. However, we also need to prioritize national security and public safety, and this move is one way to achieve that."

Users must provide valid government-issued IDs as well as proof of address in order to register their SIM cards. The registration process is free and can be completed at any MNO store, service center, or authorized agent. To avoid falling victim to scams, the public is advised to double-check the legitimacy of the registration centers they visit.

The NTC also assured the public that their personal information will be kept confidential and will only be used for registration purposes. "We understand the public's concerns about their personal data, and we assure them that we will adhere to the data privacy laws and regulations," said Cordoba.

With the deadline quickly approaching, the government urges the public to register their SIM cards as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience. Let us all do our part to ensure national and public security.

Links to register SIM:

Globe: https://www.globe.com.ph/register-sim-card.html

Smart: https://simreg.smart.com.ph/

DITO: https://dito.ph/news/dito-sim-registration-2gb-bonus-data