HOUSE PASSES BILL MAKING SIM CARD REGISTRATION MANDATORY

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the mandatory registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card.

House Bill No. 7233, otherwise known as the “SIM Card Registration Act” orders all Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) and direct sellers to require SIM card buyers to present a valid identification card with photo upon purchase of a SIM card. Upon purchase, all direct sellers shall record the full name, date of birth, gender and address of the buyer as it appears in the valid government-issued ID with photo. Foreign nationals are likewise covered by the House Bill and are required to present their passports and submit a SIM card registration form. All existing mobile phone subscribers with prepaid SIM cards are also mandated to register with their respective PTEs or suffer automatic deactivation for non-compliance within the prescribed period.

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Davao Oriental 2^nd District Mayo Z. Almario, one of the principal authors, explains that the bill was passed in an effort to help law enforcement agencies track down criminals who use mobile phones to engage in criminal activities. “The proliferation of mobile devices really benefited our citizens, however, it cannot be helped that unscrupulous individuals abuse these modern devices. As legislators, we need to do our part in protecting the Filipinos from these criminals,” Almario stated. “By asking end users to register their SIM cards upon purchase, it is hoped that they will be deterred from doing their criminal acts because they can be easily traced by the authorities.”

House Bill No. 7233 was passed by the Congress on May 16, 2018, a Senate version must be passed and approved for the signature of the President before the bill is enacted into a law.