[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’ABOVE THE LAW ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY AYIN DREAM D. APLASCA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
DID YOU know that we have more than 100 million prepaid subscriber identification modules (SIM) in the country? It is projected that all of these are active and outstanding SIM cards.
Isn’t it ironic? We have more than a hundred million population in the Philippines. It only shows that one Filipino has more than one SIM card. Do you agree that these may be used for illegal activities?
All countries in Asia register their SIM cards. Only Philippines has yet to do it. And I believe this is feasible.
Recently, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian introduced Senate Bill 203 or the SIM Card Registration Act which requires all prospective buyers of prepaid SIM cards to present a valid photo ID before they can complete their purchase.
The objective of this Act is to provide a legal framework for the registration of all prepaid and postpaid SIM cards sold and providing thereof a database for the validated information of its authorized owners, for control, administration, and management of the database.
It applies to all telecommunications companies as well as agents, individuals, corporate, private and commercial users that are engaged in the business of selling and dispensing SIM cards in the Philippines. These agencies must keep the records of SIM card subscribers. Of course, this should be treated as confidential. This is only available upon request or order of the competent court or any law enforcement agency upon finding a probable cause. Therefore, telecommunications companies are obliged to provide the information.
One of the features of this Act is the submission of proof of identification. It is better if we present a valid government-issued ID to ensure that the users are properly identified and verified. However, if the sale of the SIM cards is through sales agents, the buyer should register its card within 15 days from the date of sale in the telecommunications company. Subsequent transfer of SIM card must also be registered.
Activation of SIM cards are only made available after registration of all pertaining information about the buyer or user.
The Act does not only protect us from criminality and harassment but also to let subscribers avail themselves the mobile number portability to facilitate the easy movement of subscribers from one service provider to another without losing their existing mobile numbers.
Also, this will lessen terror threats in our country.
***
(Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca practices her profession in Iloilo City. She may be reached thru ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
