NBI Clearance New Biometric System » How to get it without losing your patience

Most probably you already know what is happening at NBI right now and how slow it is to get an NBI clearance. Let’s review the facts: 

1. Mega Data Corporation has been servicing the computerization requirements of the NBI since the early 70’s. It started opening NBI Clearance Renewal Centers in malls, and had been providing the NBI various computers, data capture, image capture and card production equipment and supplies, to serve the bureau’s data processing needs for almost 30 years.
2. Mega Data’s contract with the NBI expired last June 30.
3. Mega Data had pulled out its equipment and software a day after its contract with the NBI expired last June 30. The pullout resulted in a breakdown in the processing and issuance of NBI clearances. Long queues formed at the bureau’s main office in Manila as a backlog in document processing ensued.
4. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) apologized to the public on Thursday for the inconvenience caused by the closure of its clearance office, and  slow processing of clearance applications.
5. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima has ordered an investigation of the NBI’s contract with Mega Data.

How to get NBI Clearance without losing your patience

Long queue at Robinson Galleria even if it is still 5:00 in the morning

NBI clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation is a usual documentary requirement for job applications, company license renewals, etc. so a lot of Filipinos needs it. While we are waiting for NBI and the government to sort things out and get it back to normal, which as expected will take long, let me share to you my experience and tips on getting your NBI Clearance. 

Holding room before payment and fingerprint scanning and photo capture

NBI Clearance Center inside Robinsons Galleria

First, let me answer some FAQs:  

• There are no more renewals and all applications are considered "first time applications".
• Cost of NBI Clearance application is Php 115.00 for local and for travel abroad. 
• Your old NBI Clearance is now useless. 
• It could take you two to three weeks to get an NBI clearance if you got a  “HIT” (meaning somebody has the same name as you, or maybe some criminal looks like you)   

[UPDATE: 17 September 2011]: I also want to share my personal experience on getting a "HIT." I was invited for interview at the NBI Head Office because, unfortunately I got the same name as the wanted rapist in Mindoro. More about it here: I AM NOT A RAPIST  

NBI Clearance applicants waiting outside Robinsons Galleria

Now here are few tips and guidelines to make your application for NBI clearance less stressful.

1. Never forget to bring at least two valid ID’s (preferably government issued ID)
2. Be at the NBI office or at clearance centers early (repeat: EARLY). They only have specific number of applicants to process daily.  In my experience at Robinson’s Galleria Mall today, I woke up at 4:00 am just to be at the Robinson’s Mall at 5:00 am. Still, I got applicant number 289 and they are only processing 500 NBI clearance per day. 
3. Aside from long queue, expect a long wait so you better bring something that can diffuse your boredom like an mp3 player, a book, psp or your unfinished cross stitch if you like. 
4. Don’t forget to bring your ballpen.
5. Take heavy breakfast because application procedure can take up from morning until 2 - 3 p.m. without lunch break.
6. Always keep your cool because there are always undisciplined applicants cutting the line. 
7. Always ask the guards for assistance in filling up your clearance form and other information and guidelines.
8. If your clearance is scheduled for release not on the same day, make sure that you have your receipt with you because this will serve as your stub upon receiving the NBI clearance.
9. Review the fields in the Clearance Application Form before accomplishing it.  

NBI Clearance Application Form Sample (Click HERE to View Form or click the image)

How to fill-up the Clearance Application Form 

1. NAME OF MOTHER field: It should be mother's maiden name. 
2. HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT: write College Graduate or Undergraduate, don't just put the word "College"
3. PLACE OF BIRTH: Don not write "Bicol" or any region only. It must the name of Town and Province
4. Other fields: [just use common sense]  

Applicant is Alien -- CHECK!!!

NBI Clearance Processing Centers

NBI MAIN OFFICE, TAFT AVENUE MANILA
MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 7:00AM TO 5:00PM
SATURDAY - 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 2,000 persons

MALLS (Update [17/Oct./2011] : Based from visitor comments I received here, malls no longer have Saturday schedule. Please verify with NBI office regarding NBI clearance processing centers with Saturday schedule) 

ROBINSONS PLACE ERMITA (BASEMENT 1)
M. ADRIATICO COR. PEDRO GIL ST. ERMITA, MANILA
MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
SATURDAY - 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 500 persons

ROBINSONS OTIS (LEVEL 2)
DR. PAZ MENDOZA GUANZON ST., PACO, MANILA
MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
SATURDAY - 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 500 persons

ROBINSONS GALLERIA (EAST LANE, BASEMENT 1)
EDSA COR. ORTIGAS AVENUE, QUEZON CITY
MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
SATURDAY - 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 500 persons

ROBINSONS METRO EAST PASIG (LEVEL 4)
MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. DELA PAZ, PASIG CITY
MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
SATURDAY - 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 500 persons

ROBINSONS CAINTA (LEVEL 2)
ORTIGAS AVENUE EXTENSION, JUNCTION CAINTA, RIZAL
MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
SATURDAY - 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 500 persons  350 persons


Ever Gotesco Grand Central (3rd floor, Cinema 5)
Rizal Avenue Extension (Monumento), Caloocan City
MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
SATURDAY - 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 500 persons

Ever Gotesco Manila Plaza (3rd floor, Cinema 3)
C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila
MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
SATURDAY - 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 500 persons

CITY HALL

Quezon City Hall
Mandaluyong City Hall
Muntinlupa City Hall

Disclaimer:

Above information are correct at the date of posting. For updated information check the latest NBI press release and news updates.

_____________________________________

Related News and Articles, Sources of Facts:

» Sandy Araneta “Recruiters: OFWs losing jobs over delayed NBI clearance” The Philippine Star psoted: August 14, 2011  [Retrieved: 24 August 2011]

» “Tips in getting an NBI clearance” Loqal.ph Article [Retrieved: 24 August 2011]

»  Ducky Paredes. “That All-Important NBI Clearance”

» Tetch Torres. “NBI apologizes for major clearance applications snafus, Points to ex-technology partner Mega Data as culprit” Inquirer.net

» Macon Ramos-Araneta. “NBI chief decries tech provider’s infractions; firm denies BOT deal” Manila Standard Today 

» Sandy Araneta  “NBI sees delays in clearance release after contractor's pullout” The Philippine Star

» National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Official Website 

Bill to Protect Bloggers » Miriam Wants Bloggers Included in Bill Protecting Media

Fellow bloggers this is good news. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is insisting that bloggers and online journalists be included in new legislation, the Senate Bill 455 which seeks to amend Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, that aims to protect members of the media. I definitely agree.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is seeking to add bloggers and online journalists to Senate Bill 455, which she is co-sponsoring. According to her;

“There is no reason why only members of the broadcast and print media should be included in the proposed law. Due regard must also be given to practitioners of the digital media.”

We all know that our county has a vigorous press and a freedom of speech. Yet we are rated abysmally by Reporters Without Frontiers and other media organizations, due to a tradition of silencing journalists (including numerous radio commentators) by execution-style killings carried out by small teams on motorcycles.

Our country became infamous late in 2009 with the Ampatuan Massacre, in which 34 journalists were among the 58 killed in a mass political killing in a remote province in Maguindanao.

Santiago also specifically cited the ongoing travails of Julian Assange—a non-traditional journalist who was subjected to harassment and threats after he published hundreds of classified US diplomatic cables on WikiLeaks, and of an online journalist in Russia who was reportedly forced to go into hiding after receiving threats for an article he wrote that was critical of the Russian government. Sen. Santiago said this are examples of someone who should be protected under the law.

"It is clear that practitioners of the digital media are exposed to the same dangers that print and broadcast media practitioners are exposed to, so they should likewise be given protection by the law," she said.

Santiago said the bill should likewise include in its scope more media practitioners, including photojournalists, novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, feature filmmakers, documentary makers, television production, professional photographers, professional videographers, and public relations contractors.

Any thoughts?

_________________

Source: GMA News

September 10 » Officially Declared as Non Working Holiday in the Philippines

Wow, another long weekend again. I will have enough time writing articles again. 

Here's the official news:

Malacañang has declared September 10 a non-working holiday to give way for the celebration for the end of the Muslims' holy month of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual relations from dawn until sunset.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has signed Proclamation 26, declaring September 10 as a non-working holiday as Muslims celebrate the "Eid ul-Fitr," or the festivities for the end of Ramadan.



"Eid" is an Arabic word meaning "festivity" while "Fitr" means "to purify." The holiday is thus a symbol of purification after completing the fasting month. Muslims are commanded by the Qur'an to complete their fast on the last day of Ramadan and then recite the Takbir all throughout the period of Eid

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Ramadan began on August 11 this year and will end on September 10. — LBG/VVP, GMAnews.TV

Source: Yahoo Philippines  |  GMA News | Proclamation No. 26 DECLARING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010 AS A REGULAR HOLIDAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN OBSERVANCE OF EID’L FITR (FEAST OF RAMADHAN)
dited by Yodz Insigne

Metro Manila workers to get 22 Pesos wage increase

Well, I guess I have to share this news article to all corporate drones in the blogosphere and hope somebody can clarify this line: “The adjustment will be added to the daily basic pay, but it will only cover minimum wage earners in private companies in Metro Manila.”

Here’s the article:

Metro workers to get P22 wage hike
By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Updated June 08, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) announced yesterday that workers in Metro Manila are finally getting a P22 increase in their daily take-home pay after two years of waiting for adjustments.

NWPC executive director Ciriaco Lagunzad III said the wage board in Metro Manila came out with a new order granting a P22 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers after a series of deliberations.

Sources from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) said the increase brings to P404 the daily minimum wage rate in Metro Manila.

“The adjustment will be added to the daily basic pay, but it will only cover minimum wage earners in private companies in Metro Manila,” one of the sources said.

The increase will take effect 15 days after the publication of the new wage order in national dailies or probably before the end of the month.         

Labor groups led by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) had filed a formal petition seeking a P75 across-the-board increase in wages.       

While welcoming the latest wage increase, TUCP expressed disappointment over the minimal salary hike.

“TUCP is disappointed at how little the wage board thinks the workers deserve, so although we do not want any delay in the implementation, we will be filing a motion for reconsideration of the decision,” said TUCP official Raffy Mapalo.

Mapalo said workers are doubly disappointed because the wage increase is not across-the-board.

Any thoughts, comments?

Debris of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle 1 (KSLV-1) to Hit West of Philippines

Manila Philippines -- South Korea plans to launch its domestically assembled satellite-carrying rocket into space on June 9, 2010 informing both the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Maritime Organisation of the launch plan to warn aircraft and ships.

Accordingly, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Flag State Administration issued Advisory No. 2010-09 dated June 3, 2010 to inform all shipping companies of the impending launching by the Republic of Korea of its Korea Space Launch Vehicle I (KSLV-I), wherein the 1st stage falling area is said to be west of the Philippines.

Yonhap news agency reported Monday, that 228 seconds after launch, the engine of the first stage main booster will be turned off and second stage rocket with satellite payload will separate 316km from Naro Space Center at an altitude of 196km, with main booster falling near the Philippines.

The planned launch, meanwhile, follows the "half successful" blastoff of the first KSLV-1 last August.

All concerned are advised to take all necessary precautions and if possible, avoid taking the aforementioned route in the western area of the Philippines.

News Report by: Yodz D. Insigne, Manila Philippines: 07 June 2010

Attachment Details: 

» Control Zone of ship traffic around Naro Space Center

» Control Zone of aircraft flight around Naro Space Center

» Falling areas of KSLV-1 and 1st Stage

» Information on the Launch of the KSLV-1 (Korea Launch Vehicle-1 Schedule), Launch Site and Direction

Sources:
» Photo Credit: The rocket, named the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1), will seek to place in orbit a 100 kg satellite by fyjs.cn

» Yonhap News Agency: (rocket launch) Launch sequence of S. Korea's space rocket

» Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Flag State Administration Advisory No. 2010-09  

May 3, 2010 Monday is Declared as Special Non Working Holiday in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo today declared May 3, 2010 as a special non-working holiday in lieu of May 1, Labor Day. 

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said May 1, which falls on a Saturday, is not a holiday. He said this declaration is based on Republic Act 9492 or the holiday economics of President Arroyo.

RA 9492 mandates that most holidays, except those with religious significance, will be shifted to the nearest Monday. 

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque earlier ruled out any announcements of a wage hike from President Arroyo on Labor Day.

Source: ABS-CBN News 

There goes Malacañang again! Businesses will definitely not like it, but employees like me are celebrating.
Yeheyy! Long weekend again!

Here's the Official Copy of the Proclamation 2043 from Malacañang Palace.

6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Hits West of Manila

(AP) – 25 minutes ago

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine seismology institute says a 6.2-magnitute earthquake has struck west of the capital, Manila.

Buildings in Manila shook for about 30 seconds early Thursday afternoon. Many workers ran out of their offices.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Seismology institute Director Renato Solidum says the quake happened at a depth of 6.21 miles (10 kilometers) under the seabed. The U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude at 6.1 and depth at 21 miles (33 kilometers).

Well, this is some disturbance in our boring Thursday afternoon. Employees from upper floors of our office building are having fun outside. Hope there's no more quakes to follow.

The 2009 world’s best country to live in and the worst.

I came across a report based on a UN data released last Monday concluding that the world’s most desirable place to live in is Norway and ranks sub-Saharan African states afflicted by war and HIV/AIDS as the least attractive places.

Some notable facts:

• Norway, Australia and Iceland had the best living standards, while Niger, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone scored the worst in terms of Human development.
• Life expectancy in Niger was 50, about 30 years shorter than Norway, according to the index.
• For every dollar earned per person in Niger, $85 was earned in Norway.
• Half the people in the poorest 24 countries were illiterate, compared to 20 percent in nations classed as having medium levels of human development.
• Japanese people lived longer than others, to 82.7 years on average, with life expectancy in war-ravaged Afghanistan just 53.6 years.
• Liechtenstein has the highest GDP per capita at $85,383 in a tiny principality home to 35, 000 people, 15 banks and more than 100 wealth management companies.
• People were poorest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, were average income per person was $298 per year.
• Five countries – China, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, and France – climbed three or more places from the previous year, driven by greater earnings and longer life expectancy.
  

Here's what I can say,

 

Click to enlarge

Are you happy with your country ranking?

Source:UNDP Human Development Report 2009