‘Register SIM before deadline’

MANILA, Philippines — The government has called on Filipinos to register their subscriber identity module or SIM cards to avoid losing access to the country’s mobile services.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) made the appeal on Saturday as the extended SIM card registration ends on July 25.

“Register now to avoid deactivation of your SIM card and still use it to call, text, and use your mobile data,” the PCO wrote on Facebook in Filipino. It also urged subscribers to use the eGovPH super app for easy registration.

President Marcos launched eGovPH super app in June, allowing Filipinos to access various government services through a single online application.

Among the transactions that can be done in the app are SIM registration, local government unit services, job application, tourism, start-up empowerment and health care.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy has warned they would start deactivating unregistered mobile numbers on July 26.

Uy said subscribers who fail to register before the upcoming deadline will lose access to mobile services like calls, data and texts, unless they reactivate their SIM.

When a SIM is deactivated, its owner will be given five days to reactivate it through registration, or else the telco provider will shut the mobile number for good.