The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will release the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the SIM Registration Law in 60 days after the measure becomes effective.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said that even though the new measure becomes effective 15 days after its publication, an IRR would still be needed as its blueprint, ABS-CBN News reported.
A section of the law, Republic Act 11934, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., states that the National Telecommunications Commission in coordination with the DICT and other agencies and groups will craft and promulgate the law’s guidelines.
“The IRR must outline the offenses that will fall under the law and the registration process, including whether online or offline,” Uy said.
Uy, quoted by the ABS-CBN News report said the registration of new and existing SIMs will be done online, as well as the submission of government-issued IDs with a photo for verification of the registrant’s identity.
Those who do not have any government-issued IDs must apply to get one, the official said. “Onsite registration is difficult because people will flock to the location. There are between 144 and 150 million prepaid SIM cards already issued,” he said.
The DICT chief said he is suggesting that individuals get a PhilHealth, SSS, or PhilPost ID, if they do not have a driver’s license or a passport.
A person can register multiple SIM cards, but these would need to be properly identified, he said.
Under the measure, new SIM cards must be activated only upon the registration of the user through a public telecommunications entity (PTE). Existing SIM subscribers, however, must register within 180 days of the effectivity of the law. The DICT though can extend registration up to 120 days.
Marcos Jr. signed into law the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act on Monday, the first piece of legislation under his administration. Former President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the SIM Card Registration Act in April this year due to a provision calling for mandatory social media registration. That provision has been removed.