NBI clearance in 3 steps, via mobile too 

From what used to be an almost day-long process, securing a National Bureau of Investigation clearance has now been sped up and simplified into three simple steps, the agency announced Monday.
 

The NBI said it has completed rolling out its online clearance system, which does away with the traditional six-step clearance process. The agency claims the registration process will now only take less than five minutes, and is even possible via mobile phones.

The first of three steps involves online registration through the NBI website at www.nbi.gov.ph or clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Once there, an application form will have to be filled out, an appointment date will have to be set, and payment will have to be made. The site can be accessed via mobile phone.

 

Applicants can pay the processing fee via online banking; over-the-counter bank payment; over-the-counter non-bank payment like Bayad Center, LBC, and Robinsons Department Stores; ATM and debit cars; and mobile payment systems.

 

NBI spokesman Nick Suarez said the first part of online registration and electronic payment could take "less than five minutes."

 

After registering at the NBI clearance website, an applicant will be given a registration code or reference number, which will serve as the gate pass to NBI clearance centers, where applicants will undergo the second step of having their photo and biometrics taken through 72 NBI clearance processing centers.

 

The third and final step is the printing of the NBI clearance.

 

Beauty queen Venus Raj, 2010 Miss Universe 4th runner-up who hosted the launch, tried out the new system through a desktop computer and within five minutes was able to register. A few more minutes later, she was already holding up a printed copy of her NBI clearance.

 

Fellow beauty queen Ariella Arida, 2013 Miss Universe 3rd runner-up who co-hosted with Raj, meanwhile registered through her mobile phone.

 

"The registration, scheduling of appointment and payment are all now done quickly. You just have to connect with your phones, computers, and tablets. So it's now hassle-free, easier, faster and more convenient," said Suarez during the live demo of the system at the NBI headquarters in Manila.

 

Welerme Haplasca Jr, executive officer of the NBI Information and Communication Technology Division, meanwhile said the bureau is thinking of introducing the "non-appearance renewal... within the year," in which an applicant who is simply renewing his or her NBI clearance will no longer have to appear before the NBI or a satellite station.

 

Applicants with no Internet access can proceed to the NBI main office in Manila where computer work stations can be used free of charge. The same free service will also soon be available in the regional offices, the NBI added.

 

The NBI launched the e-clearance system last year, albeit in stages. The bureau did a dry run in July 2014, the e-Registration component in September 2014, the e-Payment in November 2014, and a soft launch last January. Before launching the e-clearance system, the bureau put up satellite offices where people can have their clearance applications processed. - JJ/ELR, GMA News