NTC intensifies SIM registration in remote areas nationwide
THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) intensified the implementation of the SIM Registration Act in all regions of the country,
especially the remote areas.
Said remote registration sites included municipal auditorium of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Region I; Camalaniugan sports complex, Cagayan, Region II; Calumpit municipal covered court, Bulacan, Region III; Luancing covered court, Batangas, Region IV-A; Sta. Rosa 1 covered court, Baco, Oriental Mindoro; Region IV-B; Barangay Paulba multipurpose covered court, Ligao, Albay, Region V; Carles covered gym, Iloilo, Region VI; Moalboal covered gymnasium, Cebu, Region VII; Palo municipal gym, Leyte, Region VIII; Atok basketball court, Benguet, Cordillera Administrative Region; Barangay Arena Blanco multipurpose covered court, Zamboanga del Sur, Region IX; Pangantucan municipal gymnasium, Bukidnon, Region X; Malalag covered court, Davao del Sur, Region XI; MDDRM office, Arakan municipal hall, Cotabato, Region XII; and Tagbina municipal gym, Surigao del Sur, Region XIII. NTC Officer-in-Charge Commissioner Ella Blanca B. Lopez said, “part of making President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s first priority legislation become a success, the NTC, through the concerted effort of its regional offices and in coordination with the telcos and relevant government agencies, aims to ensure the proper conduct of the SIM Registration in remote areas.”
The NTC said that a combination of three parameters were used in the selection of remote areas:
1. Number of the area’s telecommunications or internet access infrastructure;
2. Number of Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA)
barangays; and
3. Population.
After considering said parameters, the NTC’s regional offices conducted a feasibility study other than the availability of said areas for SIM registration activation.
The study took note of the accessibility or proximity of the identified areas to the regional centers, the availability of land transportation, and the participation of the concerned Local Government Unit (LGU).
The list of remote areas was concurred by the telcos after considering the scope of their network, availability of manpower and budget for the activity to ensure a hassle-free registration for the public.
“The endeavor is aimed at maximizing SIM subscriber participation in the SIM Registration process, thereby helping ensure the successful implementation of the SIM Registration Act.” Lopez added.
The NTC acknowledged the cooperation of the LGUs and thanked the members of the Inter-Agency Ad Hoc Committee on the Facilitation of SIM Registration in Remote Areas: the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Education, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the National Privacy Commission and the Philippine Information Agency.
