I think governments worldwide now look at China for modelling - i.e. see how they are controlling their population and then copy it. And they do the bidding of other governments, so we have 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, 20 Eyes ... and every fecking 'Eyes' going.
In Germany you have to register yourself with full ID - Check and only after your Sim Card will be ready for use. There is no escape. You have to do it. Hence for me it's not a big surprise that The Philippines are putting a similar procedure in place. It might take some time but certainly it will come. It's all about control in these days. Money transfers, Social media, Sim Cards, travelling, everything. Governments and major companies are well prepared to monitor everything you are doing or saying. With the help of KI and gigantic computers they are able to do it easily. And they will do it more. I don't think there is anything you can do about. And, by the way, who should assist you ?
Governments are the most unregulated bodies by far IMO. The false economy by adding a zero on their computers is a prime example, then dishing it out through their CB mates. No responsibility at all. Of course they get away with this on a regular basis and then there's the case of banks being to big to fail scenarios. No risk, speculating with what is not even their money. You couldn't really make up that kind of business venture. Heads I win, tails I win.... Crypto has some issues sure and the reason they dislike it is that it's outside of their cartel as in control.
In a statement, Globe Telecom Inc. (Globe) announced the launch of its online SIM platform once the IRR takes effect on Dec. 27. https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/12/22/ntc-releases-implementing-rules-of-sim-registration-law https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190594 https://ntc.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/mc/NTC MC No. 001-12-2022.pdf
Draconian measures to say the least by this "new" government, a taster of what's coming next no doubt. Now do I really need a phone with a Filipino sim?
Not really of course, with a foreign sim you can also go online and use all kind of applications, even your PH bank app. Will cost you only what more money when texting or calling with your foreign sim to a PH sim.
I do use My Tello who I find works very well. No need for WiFi, rates below... https://www.mytello.com/en_GB/rates
The way the law reads, any foreigner, even if resident on permanent visa and holding government ID including address, will need to submit a letter from the owner of the property where he/she is staying, to confirm that he/she lives at that address with permission. Seems a bit odd that, or perhaps it's an oversight, as Section 7 (e) (ii) seems poorly worded.
I have a UK Vodafone SIM but here it is connected through the Smart network so i presume i will have to register it as well.