NTC launches Nationwide SIM registration in Tagbina as pilot area for Caraga
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur -- The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) successfully facilitated the Nationwide Launch of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration in Remote Areas in which the municipality of Tagbina is the pilot area in Caraga Region, held at the Municipal Gymnasium of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur on January 27, 2023.
Mortera shared that they expected some 300-500 individuals from the different barangays of Tagbina and nearby municipalities who would be registering their SIM cards through the help of the PTEs such as Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and DITO Telecom.
During the activity, the personnel from the NTC Caraga and the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Caraga briefed the registrants
on the salient features of the Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration
Act.
They highlighted the importance of having the end users' SIM cards registered
to prevent the incidence of fraud and scams, and the corresponding penalties
stipulated in the said law.
The NTC also distributed information, education, and communication (IEC)
materials for participants to read and understand during the event.
The local government unit of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur headed by Mayor Glaiza
Jane Polizon-Lanete, on the other hand, extended full support, as the
municipality was chosen to host the event.
Rhodora Millan of P3 San Jose, Barangay Poblacion, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur was
delighted to experience a fast, convenient and successful SIM registration
after several failed attempts from the websites/links of the different
telcos. She appreciated the initiative of the NTC for helping her fellow
Tagbinanhons complete their SIM card registration.
Millan is optimistic that any complaint due to fraudulent calls and texts from scammers will be addressed and can be identified easily.
Due to unstable internet connection, Wilfredo Pandeling, a resident of P-5
Barangay Maglambing, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, benefitted from the government
assistance rendered as he lined up early on the day of the registration.
"Sa akong nasayran importante nga marehistro ang SIM nga atong ginagamit
aron dili kini mablock o madeactivate human sa deadline karong April 26, 2023.
Importante usab nga marehistro aron dili kita dali mabiktima sa mga pagpangilad
pinaagi sa pagtext ug tawag sa atong mga cellphone numbers (It is important to
have our SIM registered on or before the deadline on April 26, 2023 as the NTC
will automatically deactivate all unregistered SIMs. Apart from that, it is
important that we will not become victims of scams)," he said.
As the communication arm of the government, the Philippine Information Agency
(PIA) Caraga headed by Regional Director Venus L. Garcia, and its Surigao del
Sur Provincial Information Center strongly support the initiatives of the NTC
and the Department of Information and Communications Technology in the feasible
implementation of the law.
Meanwhile, the activity conducted was a collective effort of the following
government offices and agencies namely: NTC, National Privacy Commission
(NPC), DICT, Department of Education (Deped), Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the
Philippines, Philip Army (AFP-PA), PIA and LGU-Tagbina to address the
challenges in the implementation of the SIM Registration Act to remote areas in
the country. (NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
