PLDT Inc.’s (PLDT) wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has partnered with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 7 to ramp up SIM Registration regionwide by presenting key details and processes to city, municipal, and government agency information officers.
“This partnership with PIA Region 7 is important to us because we recognize the value of collaborating with our local government information officers in encouraging all SIM users to register their numbers and provide an identification tool to help in preventing scams,” said Marylou Gocotano, PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Management Visayas Relations Head.
Smart’s effort to collaborate with multi-sectoral agencies supports the government’s mandate to protect mobile phone users against any SIM-, internet-, or electronic-enabled fraudulent acts.
PIA Region 7 Director Fayette Riñen shared that they are thankful for Smart’s partnership in the conduct of SIM Registration-related briefings. “Any advocacy can only become effective with concrete action and vital to its success is a solid partnership. I am very thankful to the telcos’ massive support in making the public understand the importance of registering their SIM cards,” added Riñen.
PIA Region 7 covers the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
“I frequently get funny messages, potential scams, threats, and all sorts of phishing attempts. SIM registration can help curb this kind of activity. With the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), and PIA Region 7, we wish to thank our telcos for their efforts. We at the PIA will be with all of you in this attempt to solve cyber-criminalities and terrorism, which can be curbed through this measure,” said Rey Anthony Chiu, Information Center Manager of PIA-Bohol.
Smart continues to scale up their SIM Registration efforts by putting up more assisted booths nationwide to accommodate process-related inquiries and help subscribers, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and legacy phone users.