TRAIN Law hikes price of NBI clearance, other legal documents

The fee for a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance will climb from P 115 to P130 starting March 12, 2018, following the increase in the documentary stamp tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

According to a 24 Oras report by Mark Zambrano on Thursday, notices of the fee increase have been posted at the bureau's main office in Manila.

The NBI has been issuing new blue-colored multi-purpose clearance forms since October 2017 for businesses, for local or overseas employment, or for a permit for acquisition of firearms.

As the NBI aims to shorten the clearance process to five minutes, especially for those with clean records, applicants may enter their information at computers themselves.

"From a six-step process, naging three steps nalang siya. 'Pag nag-register 'yung tao online, even in the comfort of their own home, puwede siyang mag-register as long as may internet," NBI chief administrative officer Nicanor Suarez  told GMA News.

The report added that online registration centers will also available at NBI offices to from 6 a.m.

The TRAIN law, which was implemented January 1, 2018, imposes an additional fee on other legal documents which have taken effect earlier this year.

The fee for a copy of a death, marriage, or authentication certificate from Philippine Statistics Authority has climbed from P140 to P155.

Meanwhile, a copy of a certificate of no marriage costs P210 from P195.

On the report, applicants waiting in long lines at the NBI voiced their grievances on shedding out an additional P15 for an official document.

"Dapat po isaalang-alang nila 'yung kahirapan ng mga mamamayan. Eh Paano po kung wala silang pambayad sa clearance?" said an applicant.

"Sa mga hindi masyadong nakakaluwag-luwag sa buhay medyo hindi okay," added another. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News