The House of Representatives has approved the third and final reading of the proposed bill on the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act.

During the session on Monday, Sept. 19, House Bill 14 was passed after 250 lawmakers had voted in favor of the measure, while six voted against it, and only one had abstained from voting.

HB 14 or the "Act requiring the registration of subscriber identity of module cards" seeks to require the ownership of SIM cards. If enacted into law, it would help agencies in combating the proliferation of personalized text scams and criminal activities.

Under the measure, it stated that every public telecommunications entity (PTE) or direct authorized seller must require an end user to present an original copy of any valid government identification (ID) with a photo to verify its identity before the issuance of a SIM card.

The user will also be mandated to accomplish a registration form which includes a declaration that all identification documents presented are true and correct, and that the accomplished form and the IDs presented are one person.

“Failure of an end user to comply with the requirements under this section shall be a ground for the PTE or direct seller to refuse the sale and issuance of a SIM card,” it said.

The PTE is required to submit a verified list of its dealers/agents to the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) within 30 days.

PTE who violate any provisions of the act will face penalties of fines ranging from Php 300,000 to Php 1,000,000.

Meanwhile, the Senates version of the bill has also passed in the second reading during the plenary session in the Senate on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Senate Bill No. 310 or the proposed SIM registration act was sponsored by Sen. Grace Poe who heads the Public Services Committee.

In April, former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte vetoed the proposed bill due to the inclusion of social media providers as part of coverage in the provision.