NBI Clearance Woes

So, I had to get an NBI clearance for work, which I really hated because of the new system where everyone is back to zero and has to apply for a new one instead of just renewing their old ones. But, of course, I had no choice.

I woke up early and was at Ever Gotesco Commonwealth by 7 am last July 18, Wednesday. The line for the NBI clearance is on the "unexposed" side of the mall, opposite of where cars usually enter the mall and park. If you're not sure then just ask a guard there. The line was already long when I got there, no surprise, and when I got to the end of the line there was a sort of attendance sheet where you write down your name. I was the 208th person in line.

At around 7:45 am the line started moving and by 8:15 am I was able to get inside the mall through the service entrance. They will be checking for 2 valid IDs so be prepared. Also, I think they're strict about the dress code so you can't get in if you're wearing sandos, slippers, sleeveless, or short skirts.

When you get in you go up a set of stairs which brings you to the cinema area. The NBI clearance center is inside cinema 1 and depending on the number of people already inside the cinema they'll make you wait a bit right outside the cinema before letting a number of people in. Our batch was ushered into the cinema at around 8:25 am, where they distributed the application form and gave instructions on how to fill it up. Make sure you listen even if you think you already know how to fill the form out. It's a poorly-designed form, so you can still make mistakes. The process is pretty simple:

• Fill out the form
• Pay the fee of 115 Pesos
• Go through data encoding
• Get your photo and biometrics taken
• And, finally, releasing of the NBI clearance (assuming you don't get a hit in the system)

After filling out the form and making sure all of your information is correct and clearly written be prepared to wait for a long time. Also, be prepared to stand up and move seats all the time because they want the applicants in line to keep the line moving. There was only one person receiving the payments. It's better if you have the exact change so you won't be hassled if ever they don't have change. I finally got to pay at around 9:45 am. More than an hour just to pay, can you believe that?

After paying be prepared to wait again. Yes, again. Read a book, listen to music, sleep, whatever. There was only one person doing the data encoding at the start. It was only later on that an additional person started helping out in the data encoding area. There were, at the most, only 2 people encoding data for more than a hundred people. They don't go on lunch break but they take turns going to lunch so you're back to a one-man data encoder. I finished my turn at around 12:10 pm. I waited for more than 2 friggin' hours. When it's your turn just make sure you review whatever is being typed by the encoder on the screen and make sure the information is correct (especially spelling).

The last two parts were pretty quick because everyone else is backlogged at the data encoding part. By 12:20 pm I was done with the photo and biometrics taking. By 12:28 pm they released my clearance.

It's a really simple and straightforward process which is why I'm so pissed with how slow it takes. They had around 4 terminals at the data encoding area and yet only 2 people, at the most, would be there. The manager (I'm assuming he's the manager) was at one point taking a nap at the back of the cinema. So much frustration. The only upside of getting my NBI clearance at Ever Gotesco Commonwealth was that it's really near to where I live and I was more or less comfortable while waiting because it's air conditioned inside the cinema and there are seats.