With the sim card registration deadline fast approaching, the campaign for this process is now in full swing, focusing on accommodating a larger number of people, according to an official from the National Telecommunications Commission - Davao Region (NTC-Davao).
Nelson Canete, NTC-Davao regional director, said the goal of their remote registrations is to accommodate and provide easier access for individuals living in remote areas, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
This initiative is designed to help not only these groups but also others who need help registering their sim cards.
“Kadaghanan man gud sa mga nag-register [sa atong mga remote registration kay] mga senior citizen na maglisod unsaon pag-register (Mostly we accommodate senior citizens who have difficulties in registering their sim cards),” Canete said in a phone interview, April 20.
Canete said that he anticipates more people from the Muslim community to go to remote registration sites since they have just finished their Ramadan observance.
“Gina-expect nato na panahon sa Ramadan basi wala na silay time para mag-register so we will expect them na nakaparegister sila after sa ilang puasa (We expect that during the Ramadan they might have no time to register so we expect them to register after Ramadan),” Canete said.
He said the agency has lined up simultaneous remote sim card registration activities in Carmen and the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Davao del Norte today, April 24, and on Wednesday, April 26, respectively, and Pantukan, Davao de Oro on Tuesday, April 25.
“Hopefully, we have completed the roundup in Region 11 in time for the completion of the SIM card registration,” Canete said.
Meanwhile, Canete urged Dabawenyos anew to beat the sim registration deadline on April 26 at exactly 12:00 midnight.
He also urged members of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and local government units (LGUs) to help senior citizens, PWDs, indigenous people, and people from remote areas who would want to register their sim cards.
However, Canete clarified sim card registration should not be forced on everyone.
“Atong ginapasabot na kining (We are here to let them understand that the) sim registration, dili ni (not) mandatory,” Canete said.
“Kung dili ka makaregister (If you fail to register on time)... it will not be counted against you, kaya lang ang epekto kung naa kay simpack dili na mag-function imong sim pack, ma-deactivate na siya (however, the sim card will be deactivated and will no longer function),” Canete added. ICE