QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reminded the public about the importance of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Law in making cyberspace safer and in harnessing the benefits of technology.
In a webinar for Local Government Unit (LGU) executives on Wednesday, DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Y. Lamentillo emphasized that the law will be the subscribers’ protection against fraudulent calls, and scams through text messages and even mobile applications.
According to Lamentillo, it is also a step forward to secure digital transactions, allowing more citizens to be part of e-commerce, and providing safer and more efficient access to e-government services.
“We know there are also concerns on data privacy. But we want to assure the public that the SIM Registration Law is being implemented in conjunction with the Data Privacy Act. The PTEs are responsible in ensuring that data from the SIM registration are secured, encrypted and protected at all times,” Lamentillo explained.
DICT strongly advised the subscribers to be mindful of fake websites, phishing, and other scams that may take advantage of people trying to register their SIMs. The department urged the public to visit only the official websites of their telco provider for accurate information.
To report any issues related to SIM card registration, the public can reach DITC’s 24/7 Complaint Center Hotline 1326 under the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
Meanwhile, to facilitate the registration in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) an Inter-Agency Ad Hoc Committee was organized.
The committee is composed of DICT, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), other government agencies and the public telecommunication entities (PTEs).
DICT also tapped the Department of Justice (DOJ) to set up a one-stop-shop in remote areas so the public can secure their NBI clearances, which they can use in registering their SIM to solve the problem of lack of valid government-issued ID.
Lamentillo called on the Local Government Units (LGUs) to help their agencies to disseminate information about the importance of SIM Registration to their constituents.
“We call on everyone’s cooperation, because the sooner we are able to accomplish the SIM registration, the sooner we can experience the protection of the law and its other benefits,” Lamentillo said. (JAFD/PIA-PMD)
