AKO BICOL Party-list Representative Zaldy Co has joined the call to extend the deadline for the subscriber identity module (SIM) registration.
The deadline is on April 26 and many mobile users are yet to register.
“I am in favor of extending the SIM registration deadline, but by 60 days only, and there must be substantial additions to the list of accepted identification documents,” the legislator said.
The SIM Registration Law allows an extension of up to 120 days.
“Although the SIM Registration Law allows an extension of up to 120 days, that would probably make people wait again until the last minute or the last few days of the extension, so that would be counter-productive.”
The lawmaker says that although this is provided in the law, it “would probably make people wait again until the last minute or the last few days of the extension, so that would be counter-productive.”
“But judging by how slow the SIM registration has progressed these past months, I don’t think the number of days is what will truly matter,” he added.
“The major problem in SIM registration is the lack of acceptable identification.”
Co noted that the major problem in SIM registration is the lack of acceptable identification.
He suggested the following as acceptable documents because these can be verifiable:
1. Barangay Residence Certification with picture and barcode;
2. Vaccination Card with QR Code;
3. Filed latest BIR Income Tax Return;
4. School ID with picture and student number;
5. 4Ps ATM Card with card number;
6. DSWD Social Amelioration Card with barcode;
7. DOLE CAMP identification card; and
8. PhilSys National ID physical card or electronic card
“For these identification documents to be usable for SIM registration, the agencies and entities that have custody of the databases should either give the telecom firms access to their databases or they should have a working arrangement for the verification of documents submitted,” he concluded.
