I have heard so many horror stories about people lining up as early as 4 am just so they can be included in the "quota" of the people who can get their clearance for the day. I have also heard about people having similar and/or identical names with people who are either "wanted" or with some criminal record of some sort and hence, had to wait for a week before their clearances are issued.
Late last year, around September 2012, I also needed to procure an NBI Clearance. Instead of lining up, I tried to apply for my NBI clearance on-line. At that time, only the main office of the NBI (located in Taft Ave., Manila) can process on-line application.
But the good news now is that several off-site NBI kiosk (specifically those located in the malls) can also process the NBI application done on-line.
The steps are quite simple. Simply visit the NBI website, which provides the instructions for on-line application. You just follow the instructions.
First, pay via GCASH! I tried to pay via Cebuana Llulliher's Pera Padala but the person there did not know that you can send money to NBI. Booo!!! But I have to give my hats off to the GLOBE CENTER (Megamall Branch) for knowing and making the process of paying for the NBI Application quite easy.
Second, with the reference code printed in the receipt, type that into the validation area seen in the NBI website. As soon as the code was validated, I received an email confirming my payment and clearance details. The email with the QR code is very important as this is what you will bring to the NBI on the date of your appointment.
I then sent a text message to the number provided by the NBI to set up my appointment at the NBI off-site nearest my location. In seconds, I received a text message confirming the date and time of my appointment. How easy is that?
And just like that, you show up on the day of the appointment, give them your printed QR code, have your biometrics done and then wait for your clearance to be released.
Easy peasy!
So, I say, NO to LOOONG LINES! And YES to TECHNOLOGY! :-)
