LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) —- The National Telecommunications Commision (NTC) Bicol enjoins sim card- users to register their sims before the July 25 deadline to avoid possible inconveniences.

NTC Bicol Regional Director Engr. Samuel S. Sabile said during  an online press briefing today, June 7, a total of 100,478,511 million registered sim-cards in the country were recorded out of 168 Million target based on their latest data.

As of April 25, Sabile said that about 15,557 sim cards were registered in the Bicol region in on-site facilitated sim registration.

Sabile highlighted that on July 25, all old sim cards that are unregistered will be permanently deactivated.

''There will be no extension definitely,'' Sabile stressed.

He noted that all communication platforms or applications will be affected in case of failure on registration of sim cards being used for authentication or verification.

''Hindi na pwedeng ipa-reactivate [It is not allowed to reactivate],'' Sabile said regarding unregistered sim cards after the deadline set by the NTC.

Regulated scam notifications

Sabile said the public might still receive scam messages after the implementation of the sim registration act.

''Maaaring mayroon parin, pero ang kagandahan ay maa-identify na natin dahil registered na sila [It is posible that there is still, but the advantage is we can identify them because they are registered],'' Sabile said.

In case of receiving scam messages, Sabile advised the public to contact them at cp number 09190771302 or email them at ntc_legazpi@yahoo.com  for necessary actions. Evidence should also be presented to them. 

Sabile noted that NTC can block the sim card user of or ordinary scam messages once a report is filed in their office.   

Messages that contain criminal acts, he said, requires a court order and proof. It will undergo  due process of law.

NTC Bicol Information Officer Judy Bilangel said that as of June 30,  they have recorded  seven (7) complaints about scam messages.

The seven (7) complaints are acted upon, [wherein the users] were blocked.

‘’Mas mababa ito kaysa last year, we received about 50 complaints [This is lower than the other year],'' Bilangel said.

Sabile cited there are three main reasons why sim card users are still unable to register their sims; lack of government-issued ID, unfamilliarity with the technology, and that registration is not their priority.

''To those who do not have a government- Issued ID, they can secure a barangay ID,'' Sabile said.

Sabile reiterated the importance of sim registration. 

''Proteksyon iyan para maiwasan ang illegal activities, at ma-enjoy ang technology [It is a protection to avoid and regulate the illegal activities and enjoy the technology,'' he added. . (PIA5/Albay)