With all the scams and spam text messages we receive daily, the SIM registration law is becoming increasingly necessary with each passing day. Well, we are here to share the news that the SIM registration law will finally take effect next month.

Signed into law last October 10, the SIM registration act aims to control and avoid mobile phone crimes and fraudulent acts.

According to Senator Grace Poe, “As the text capital of the world, we hold precious our means to communicate and anyone who abuses or misemploys the system for their own fraudulent and unlawful interest must be traceable and subsequently held accountable.”

Quoting Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy, Senator Poe, who also sponsored the P11.32-billion proposed DICT budget for 2023,

stated that “December 12 is the issuance of the IRR (implementing rules and regulations), so it will be effective definitely on December 27.”

A public hearing to gather input from stakeholders will also be happening on December 5.

Per the law, registration is a prior requirement for SIM card activation. All owners must register their SIM within 180 days. A grace period of 120 days can also be considered should the user meet the first deadline. 

Senator Poe said an IRR clarifying SIM registration requirements and processes will be published that will give telecommunications companies as well as SIM users all the things they need to know about the new law. 

The National Telecommunications Commission, in coordination with the DICT, the National Privacy Commission, telecommunication companies, and consumer groups, is required to publish the IRR within 60 days of the law’s effectivity.