Philippines blog – Page 162 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Customs officials seize P140 million-worth of undeclared agricultural products in Muntinlupa City

January 4, 2023January 1, 2023carlocarrasco

In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, elements of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized several undeclared agricultural products estimated to be worth almost P140 million, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). The seizure happened before 2022 ended and there is a disturbing trend happening lately.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Saturday reported the seizure of undeclared agricultural products amounting close to PHP140 million from a Muntinlupa City-based company.

According to Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, the containers were declared to contain udon noodles and frozen dimsum balls, but upon examination, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) found that it contained undeclared fresh red and white onions, frozen ox tripe, frozen barbecue, and frozen crawfish.

The PHP139,769,500 worth of undeclared agricultural products underwent examinations from Dec. 27 to 29, 2022.

The shipments arrived from China between Nov. 27, 2022 and Dec. 3, 2022 at the MICP and were consigned to Taculog J International Consumer Goods Trading located at B4 L7 Mariategui HMOA, Alabang.

Ruiz said he was surprised that the same company almost managed to bring in hundreds of millions worth of smuggled agricultural products into the country in less than two months.

“Although I am proud of our men and what they were able to accomplish these past weeks, I am appalled at the gall of these groups. We have reports coming in that a kilo of red onions sells for PHP720 in the markets. Bringing a hot commodity like onions into our borders without going through the proper procedures is an affront to our farmers, the people who make sure we have enough supply of it,” he said in a statement.

The operation came after the bureau reported the apprehension of PHP171.35 million worth of smuggled agricultural products, including fresh red and white onions, from containers that arrived between Nov. 12 and Dec. 3, 2022 consigned to the same company.

The shipment that arrived on Nov. 25 and examined on Dec. 28 was initially declared to contain frozen lobster, frozen prawn balls, and frozen crab stick but was later found to also have undeclared frozen ox tripe worth PHP15.5 million.

On the other hand, containers that arrived on Nov. 27 and examined from Dec. 27 to 29, were declared to have udon noodles, frozen lobster, frozen prawn balls, and frozen crab sticks. But upon examination, these containers had undeclared fresh red onions, frozen barbecue, and frozen crawfish that amounted to PHP46.75 million.

Four shipments that arrived on Dec. 3 and examined from Dec. 27 to 29, were declared to contain only udon noodles, but examiners instead found undeclared fresh red and white onions amounting to an estimated total value of PHP77,519,500.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? How expensive are the prices of agricultural products right now locally?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Philippines counted 2.6 million tourist arrivals in 2022

January 4, 2023January 2, 2023carlocarrasco

Since it opened its borders for travelers from abroad in early 2022, the Philippines registered a total of 2.6 million tourist arrivals for the year, according to a GMA Network news report quoting the Department of Tourism (DOT). Take note that the DOT has higher targets for attracting foreign tourists this new year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

A total of 2.6 million tourists arrived in the Philippines in 2022, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

This is due to the opening of borders to all international travelers in February, the DOT added, according to a report on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Monday.

Some P173 billion tourism revenue was recorded in 2022, the department said.

The DOT said more than 628,000 arrivals are returning Filipinos.

The top arriving international tourists were from the US, South Korea, Australia, and United Kingdom.

Very clearly, the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to happen in different ways around the world. For the Philippines itself, the arrivals and presence of foreign tourists as well as Filipinos based overseas are crucial for the socio-economic development of the whole nation. As such, we Filipinos can be more supportive towards the DOT and other national stakeholders to make tourism – both foreign and local – thrive again with the nation in mind.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Do you believe the DOT can achieve its targets for 2023? Do you think the local government units (LGUs) should become more pro-active on emphasizing local tourism? What is the most notable local tourist site in your city right now? Did you notice your favorite local coffee shop or restaurant having more foreigners as customers lately?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Gold Delight ice cream truck now serving customers at Greenhouse at Village Square Alabang in Las Piñas City

January 2, 2023January 1, 2023carlocarrasco

If you are living within South Metro Manila and if you really love ice cream, you should visit the Greenhouse at Village Square Alabang in Barangay Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City as the Gold Delight truck of the Ice Cream House company was recently established there and they have been serving a growing number of customers already.

*The Gold Delight ice cream truck is just steps away from the corner of Alabang-Zapote Road and Concha Cruz Drive, located at the outdoor side of the Greenhouse and Village Squa*re Alabang.

To be specific, the Gold Delight ice cream truck is located at one side of the Greenhouse parallel to Concha Cruz Drive. Physically, the truck is just steps away from the corner of Alabang-Zapote Road and Concha Cruz Drive.

Recently, I visited the truck to buy a half-gallon of ice cream for the home. As I drove a private vehicle, I had to park at the multi-level paid parking area, walk from there to enter the Greenhouse at Village Square Alabang, pass through inside and exited to reach the outdoor side where there were BF Homes tricycles and another food joint before finally reaching the Gold Delight truck which is so colorful, it is easy to identify.

*Check out the flavors, sizes and prices.*

The first thing you will see right at the ice cream truck are prices and flavors of Gold Delight ice cream in half-gallons and pints. There are also some images of varied Gold Delight products displayed to give you an idea what the half-gallons and pints looked like. When it comes to the flavors of Gold Delight ice cream, their popular CocoFlan flavor is priced at P280 for half-gallon and P95 for pint, Coffee Crumble is at P270 for half-gallon and P90 for pint, Rocky Road sells for P250 for half-gallon and P85 for pint, and so on. There are lots of flavors and sizes of ice cream to choose from. Also available are ice buko delights and sundaes in cups.

For the newcomers reading this, I have published articles about Ice Cream House’s Gold Delight products before. You can read them by clicking here, here and here.

I encourage you readers to visit the Gold Delight ice cream truck at the Greenhouse at Village Square Alabang and check out their products. You just might find something new and delicious for yourself, your family or for your group of friends to enjoy. You can also contact them for deliveries by via Facebook, Instagram or Viber 09677251210. To learn more from Ice Cream House, visit https://www.facebook.com/icecreamhouseph

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Police officers seize multiple pieces of firecrackers and penalize open pipe muffler ban violators in Muntinlupa City

January 2, 2023January 1, 2023carlocarrasco

In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the prohibitions on the use of firecrackers and open pipe mufflers wer put into action as the local police seized thousands of pieces of firecrackers and penalized many open pipe mufflers ban violators, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

More firecrackers were seized while 60 persons were penalized for using open pipe mufflers in Muntinlupa on New Year’s Eve.

According to the Muntinlupa City government, as of 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, nearly 4,000 pieces of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices including 52 improvised “boga” were seized by the Muntinlupa police in different operations.

Muntinlupa police chief Col. Angel Garcillano said the confiscated firecrackers will be turned over to the Southern Police District (SPD) headquarters for consolidation and destruction.

Muntinlupa City Ordinance No. 14-092 prohibits “the manufacture, display, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Were you able to spot the presence of firecrackers in your local community recently? How disturbing to you were the open pipe mufflers?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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SEC sues companies for operating unregistered online lending platforms

December 30, 2022December 28, 2022carlocarrasco

Online lending firms here in the Philippines have been reported for alleged violations that include harassing clients (click here and here). Very recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued companies for operating online lending platforms that were allegedly unregistered, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has has filed criminal complaint against Suncash Lending Investors Corp., UCash Lending Investors Corp., Suncredit.ph Finance Corp., and ECredit Finance Inc. for operating unregistered online lending platforms (OLPs).

The SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) filed the criminal complaint against Suncash, UCash, Suncredit and Ecredit before the Department of Justice (DOJ) last December 20.

The firms’ failure to disclose their online lending applications (OLA) is in violation of the Lending Company Regulation Act (LCRA) and the Financing Company Act (FCA).

The Commission implicated Qi Lu, the president of Ecredit, Suncash, and Suncredit, who was also found to be the beneficial owner of Suncash alongside Zhu Junfeng. Junfeng is also a director of the three other companies.

Also implicated in the complaint were other incorporators, directors and officials of the companies, including Chang Yuting, Joyclyn V. Pelayo, Chang Tao, Bryan Dordas Pelayo, Jasmin Tabjan Vianzon, Jayson Lee, Meng Jie, Xiaofang Song, Danilo Felicilda, Roger Publico, Yaping Liu, Xianming Tian, Shiling Xu, Xiaobo Pan, Sheila Pagkalinawan, and Xiaojing Luo.

The EIPD, together with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), Eastern District Anti-Cybercrime Team, Manila Police District, and the Special Weapons and Tactics Philippines (SWAT), previously implemented a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer against Suncash, as part of the SECs crackdown against unregistered lenders.

The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 147 issued the search warrant against Suncash upon several complaints received by the PNP-ACG and the SEC against the company.

During the implementation of the search warrant, it was discovered that other lending companies, including Ucash, Suncredit, and Ecredit, had been operating alongside Suncash in its headquarters in Sampaloc, Manila.

The joint operation resulted in the arrest of 83 individuals, identified as operators, managers, employees, and agents of Suncash.

The Commission found that Suncash operated unregistered online lending platforms (OLPs), defying Sections 12(2)(a) 12(3)(a) of the LCRA, in relation to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 19, Series of 2019 (SEC MC 19), providing the Disclosure Requirements on Advertisements of Financing Companies and Lending Companies and Reporting of Online Lending Platforms.

SEC MC 19 requires lending and financing companies to report all their existing OLPs to the Commission.

Records show that Suncash had been operating three unregistered OLPs, namely Suncash, Flashloan, and Peso Pautang, contrary to what is stated in its affidavit of compliance that it operated no other OLP than Suncash.

The EIPD also said that Suncash operated the unregistered OLPs to circumvent and defy the moratorium imposed on the registration of new OLPs effective November 5, 2021, as per SEC Memorandum Circular No. 10, Series of 2021.

Meanwhile, Ucash filed an affidavit for the operation of its OLP on December 7, 2022, when the moratorium on new OLPs was still in effect.

Further, the EIPD charged Suncredit and Ecredit for violation of Sections 14(1)(a) and 14(2)(a) of the FCA, in relation to SEC MC 19. Suncredit and Ecredit were found to be the operators of Peso Pautang and Flashloan, respectively.

The Commission also noted that all the companies engaged in abusive, unethical, and unfair debt collection practices, in violation of SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019, or the Prohibition on Unfair Debt Collection Practices of Financing Companies and Lending Companies.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Which among the reported companies sound familiar to you? Do you personally know anyone who borrowed money from an online lending firm and got harassed through communication because he or she was unable to settle the debt? Do you plan to borrow money from any online lending firm anytime soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others as well as making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Cash incentives for Muntinlupa City Government employees announced

December 29, 2022December 28, 2022carlocarrasco

Employees of the City Government of Muntinlupa should be very happy right now as Mayor Ruffy Biazon officially announced the release of cash incentives, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. They will receive the said incentives very soon.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Good news for employees of the Muntinlupa City government.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced the release of the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) amounting to P5,000 and P10,000 to regular, casual, job order and contractual employees of the city government before the year ends.

“Katulad ng inanunsyo ko sa Employees’ Night, bago matapos ang taon ay matatanggap po ninyo ang Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) na nagkakahalaga ng maximum P10,000 for regular at casual employees, at maximum na P5,000 naman para sa job order at contractual employees (Like what was announced during the Employees’ Night, before the year ends, you will receive the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) amounting to a maximum of P10,000 for regular and casual employees, and maximum of P5,000 for job order and contractual employees),” said Biazon on Dec. 27.

The SRI is in accordance with Administrative Order No. 1 approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that authorized local government units (LGUs) to give incentives to employees as long as there are funds available.

Biazon said upon the release of the memo, he ordered the city budget department, personnel, accounting and treasury to study the proposal and find funds for the incentive.

“Thankfully, mayroong savings ang Lokal na Pamahalaan na sapat para magamit sa nabanggit na incentives for employees. Maraming salamat sa ating Local Finance Committee for the swift action. (Thankfully, the local government has enough savings to be used for the said incentives for employees. Thank you to our Local Finance Committee for the swift action),” he added.

The mayor also thanked the Muntinlupa City Council for immediately approving the measure through a special session held on Dec. 27.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you believe the City Government workers deserve the cash incentives? Do you personally know anyone who works for the City Government?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Ban on firecracker use and open mufflers in Muntinlupa emphasized

December 27, 2022December 25, 2022carlocarrasco

In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the ban on the use of firecrackers and open mufflers were emphasized to the public by the City Government and the fire station, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. Take note that the New Year celebration is quickly approaching which often meant using firecrackers.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government and the chief of the Muntinlupa City Fire Station reminded the public of the ban on the use of firecrackers and open mufflers that emit very loud noise this Christmas season.

“Reminder: Firecrackers and open mufflers are prohibited in the City of Muntinlupa. There are corresponding fines on anyone caught violating City Ordinance No. 14-092 and City Ordinance No. 04-022,” the city government posted on Facebook.

Fire Supt. Eugene Briones, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Muntinlupa said under City Ordinance 14-092, the use and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are banned in Muntinlupa.

The ordinance prohibits “the manufacture, display, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City.”

Violators face fines from P1,000 to P5,000.

The ban on open mufflers is contained in City Ordinance 04-022 or the Muntinlupa Traffic Code.

Section 9 of the ordinance prohibits the use of gadgets on vehicles that “emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds.”

“No private person shall use or cause to be used sirens, bells, horns. whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including dome lights and emergency red flashing lights installed in either front or rear, and emergency red light blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices that actually impede and confuse traffic and which are inconsistent with sound traffic discipline and control on the roads,” according to the section of the ordinance.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you expect many to violate the local ban on firecracker use and open mufflers?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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LTO summons jeepney driver accused of hitting pedestrian in Parañaque City, jeepney owner summoned too

December 26, 2022December 23, 2022carlocarrasco

In Parañaque City, there was a traffic incident that occurred when a woman got hit by a public transport jeepney while crossing the pedestrian lane. The incident was caught on CCTV video and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned the driver and jeepney owner to appear at the Intelligence and Investigation off on December 28, 2022, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Inquirer news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said it issued a show cause order against the jeepney driver that rammed a crossing individual in Parañaque City.

According to the LTO, the driver and the jeepney owner were summoned and are expected to appear at its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) office on December 28, Wednesday, at 10 am.

Both individuals were also required to submit a written explanation of why they should not be charged with the administrative case of Employing Reckless Driver in accordance with the DOTC Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01.

The jeepney driver should also explain why cases of Failure to Yield Right of Way for Pedestrian Crossing (pursuant to DOTC JAO No. 2014-01) and Reckless Driving (pursuant to Section 48 of Republic Act 4136) should not be filed against him, and why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle which is also stated in RA 4136.

The passenger jeep’s license plate and the driver’s license are now on alert due to the incident that injured the pedestrian, preventing any transactions while the investigation is ongoing.

The owner and driver of the jeep will forfeit their right to tell their side of the story and have the complaint decided using the LTO’s evidence if they fail to show up when the IID summons them.

This developed after the LTO, through a CCTV video, caught the incident, which showed a woman crossing a pedestrian lane suddenly get hit by a public jeepney. The incident occurred last week, but the LTO did not specify the exact date.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be a lot of reckless drivers among the public transport jeepney drivers who drive regularly through Parañaque City every day?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines aiming to attract 4.8 million foreign visitors and generate $5.8 billion tourism revenue in 2023

December 22, 2022December 20, 2022carlocarrasco

With the economic recovery from COVID-19 still continuing and the year coming to an end, the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed its targets for foreign visitors and tourism revenue in 2023, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). For the newcomers reading this, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., declared already that it is time for the to return to pre-pandemic life and having a strong tourism sector is a crucial part of the post-pandemic strategy. It has also been several months since the Philippines opened its borders to

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines eyes to double its tourism revenues and reach at least 4.8 million in foreign visitor arrivals in 2023.

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco Friday revealed the projections as she presented the efforts of the agency to expedite tourism’s recovery.

Frasco said DOT seeks to attract 4.8 million visitors and generate at least USD5.8 billion in revenue.

Latest data showed that the Philippines has already breached its 1.7 million arrivals target for 2022, hitting over 2.46 million tourists and PHP149 billion in receipts.

With the administration’s focus on tourism and the various measures implemented to ease travel, Frasco is optimistic Manila could even surpass the pre-pandemic tourism figures before 2025.

DOT’s initial forecast indicated that Manila will not reach more than 8 million tourists until after 2025, a projection Frasco described as “alarming”.

“[T]o me, that was an alarming projection in a sense that 2025 is so far off for us to obtain our pre-pandemic levels until after 2025 and that really forced us to take an inward look as to how we can expedite the recovery,” she told reporters.

“Having set out policies under the Marcos administration, precisely to serve the more aggressive approach towards tourism recovery, we’re seeing now that we have been able to breach the previous projection as well as the high projection (for this year),” she added.

Aside from constructing rest areas and improving connectivity for inbound tourists, Frasco presented more initiatives DOT sets to undertake in the next few months.

These include showcasing the country as a top cruise destination by 2023, coordinating with the relevant office to ease visa processing, and strengthening the promotion of Mindanao — especially for halal tourism.

Frasco also said DOT and the Department of National Defense are soon to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to obtain necessary data to determine the “most ideal areas to begin the process of reopening Mindanao.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development about the Philippines and its tourism plans for 2023? Do you think it is doable for the Philippines to attract 4.8 million foreign visitors by the end of 2023? What do you think the DOT should do when it comes to emphasizing tourism through conventions and special events? Do you think the DOT is doing enough with getting involved with sports tourism, medical tourism, food tourism, and the like?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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DILG calls on local government units to take part in SIM card registration information campaign

December 21, 2022December 19, 2022carlocarrasco

Anyone based here in the Philippines using mobile devices that each carry SIM cards are required to have the said cards registered starting December 27, 2022 in accordance to Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act. To ensure that as many people get informed about this, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) nationwide to participate in the information drive, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA report. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) to help the national government in its information campaign on the implementation of Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, which takes effect on Dec. 27.

RA 11934, the first law signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to regulate the registration and use of SIMs by mandating all end-users to register their SIMs with their respective telecommunications networks before their activation.

In a statement on Monday, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said an intensive information drive must be carried out at the grassroots level and LGUs should step up in educating the public on the requirements and importance of the law.

“As we seek to ensure public safety even in the online space, I encourage LGUs to exert all efforts to promote responsible use of SIM cards, educate their stakeholders on the benefits of mandatory SIM card registration and guide them through the whole registration process,” Abalos said.

He said the SIM Registration Act will aid the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement authorities in curbing rising electronic communication-aided criminal activities in the Philippines such as mobile phishing, spam text messages, online scams, bank frauds and identity theft,” Abalos said.

Abalos said the implementation of the law will not only prompt accountability from all sides — the mobile users, the telcos, the government and authorities — but will also help the PNP to quickly locate offenders of crimes committed in anonymity through the use of electronic devices.

Section 4 of the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) released by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) provides that DILG, along with other government agencies such as DICT, NTC, DepEd, and telecom companies, shall “facilitate all SIM registrations in remote areas with limited telecommunication or internet access.”

“Together with the LGUs, DILG will cooperate with DICT and the NCT to fast-track the establishment of registration facilities in geographically-isolated areas, which should be done within 60 days after December 27,” Abalos said.

The DILG chief sought the assistance of local chief executives (LCEs) and barangay captains in remote areas in processing needed documents and other requirements to set up the registration centers.

“We know not everyone has access to the internet and other means of communication so let us reach out to them and inform them of this new law,” he said.

To register, all existing SIM subscribers must submit an accomplished form through a database platform or website provided by the telco company within 180 days. The DICT can extend the registration period for another 120 days. If a subscriber fails to register, SIM cards will be deactivated.

Subscribers must provide the following: full name, birthday, sex, address, mobile SIM number and serial number and valid identification cards (for individuals); business name, business address and full name of authorized signatory (for businesses and other juridical entities); full name, nationality, birthday, passport, proof of Philippine address, return ticket to own country (for foreigners and tourists).

Abalos also urged parents and guardians to be responsible and register the SIM used by their minor children or relatives under their name to protect them from ill-intentioned individuals. They will be asked to present an ID and consent form.

“To our parents and guardians, let us help each other in this endeavor to safeguard minors. Magtulungan po tayo upang masiguro na hindi sila mabibiktima ng mga panloloko (Let’s work together to protect them from fraud) online,” he said.

Likewise, Abalos asked the public to support the mandatory SIM card registration as this will be beneficial in the long run.

“I encourage every Filipino to register their SIM cards and be one with the government in fighting text and online scams which are becoming more prevalent in recent years,” he added.

Abalos warned people who will attempt to provide false or fictitious information and documents to register a SIM and those who will try to spoof a registered SIM to defraud or cause harm.

The above report ended stating that registering with false or fictitious information or the use of fake identities constitute a penalty of six months to two years imprisonment, and a fan of P100,000 to P300,000.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this latest development from the national government? Are you worried that SIM card registration will be tough and inconvenient to do given the nationwide scope of the processing?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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