Philippines Extends SIM Registration Deadline by Three Months Due to Low Turnout

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The government-mandated SIM registration in the Philippines has been extended by three months as a low turnout was reported ahead of its original April 26 deadline.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced the extension on Monday, citing the necessity to allow the public more time to comply with the new regulation.

Under the new regulation, all mobile phone users in the Philippines are required to register their SIM cards with valid identification documents to prevent the use of mobile phones for criminal activities such as terrorism, fraud, and illegal drugs.

The deadline for SIM card registration was originally scheduled to take effect on January 6, 2021, but it was postponed to April 26, 2021, in response to requests from numerous stakeholders and business leaders.

However, despite the extension, a low turnout of registrations was reported, prompting the government to further extend the deadline for three months.

According to DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II, "The low turnout of SIM card registration is concerning, and we want to give the public more time to comply with the regulation."

Honasan added that the extension of the deadline is also aimed at ensuring that the public will not be disconnected from telecommunications services due to non-compliance with the regulation.

The DICT encourages all mobile phone users in the Philippines to take advantage of the extension period to register their SIM cards with the nearest registration centers of their respective telecommunications providers.

The government organization also cautions people that their SIM cards may be deactivated if they don't follow the rules.

The new deadline for SIM card registration in the Philippines is now July 25, 2021.