When I was still in corporate, (naks parang ang tagal na ah!) I heard horror stories about getting
the NBI clearance. That you had to go to the NBI Clearance Centers at dawn and
fall in line for hours! I thought it must be an exaggeration, but when I had
some friends and family go and get their clearances, they said it was true! So
when time came when our whole family needed one, we had no choice.
On that Monday, we woke up at 3:30am. We planned on going to
Robinson’s Otis in Manila. It seemed out of the way and we thought it would be
less crowded there compared to the Clearance Centers in Robinson’s Metro East
or Galleria. Luckily we chanced upon a
blog that said that she got her NBI clearance from Ever Commonwealth Mall. That
was much nearer our place, so we decided to just go there. The night before, we
packed sandwiches, juices and other snacks. Berto brewed coffee for both of us and we bundled a very
sleepy Bea to our van and went on our way. We arrived at the Ever Commonwealth
mall at around 4:30 am. The parking lot was still closed. Good thing there was
a 24-hour Mcdonald’s nearby. We parked there and Berto went ahead to check if
there was a line or if they were already giving out numbers. Us, girls stayed
in the van, with Bea sleeping and me reading from my kindle.
At around 5:30 am, the guards opened the mall compound and
the line transferred inside at the left side near the parking lot (when facing the mall). At around
6:30am, I joined Berto in line, he decided to take Bea home since the guards
told him that children were not allowed inside the NBI clearance center. The
wait was so long, good thing I brought my kindle along. I had no qualms about
plopping down on the pavement as long as I’m sipping coffee and reading. Hehe…
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Berto and Kwala plopped down on the pavement during the long wait for the NBI Clearance Center |
At around 7:00 am, the guard reminded us that we need to
have photocopies of our IDs. We didn’t have any so Berto rushed to the photocopier
by the parking entrance. It was a bit far but thank goodness for Berto’s long
strides, he got there before most of the others arrived.
After a while, the guard made his rounds again, this time
reminding us of the proper attire for NBI applicants: Wearing of shorts,
sandos, mini skirts, and slippers are strictly not allowed. Eeek! I was wearing
my purple Havaianas flipflops because I wanted to be comfortable. Waaah! I was
already starting to panic when I remembered that I had my camel slingbacks in
the van. I wore it to a photo coverage a few weeks ago but on the way home I took
it off because my feet hurt. I went inside the house barefoot. Good thing the
shoes were still in the van! Woohoo!
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Finally inside the mall |
We got inside the mall through a side entrance. They converted Cinema 1 into the NBI Clearance Center. The guard made us fall in line again. After a few minutes they let us in the cinema. At the entrance, NBI employees gave out the application form with corresponding numbers, them they got the photocopies of our IDs. They wrote down the application form numbers on the photocopies, probably for file matching later on. We were led in the cinema and asked to sit down. It was early and everybody seemed to be in a good mood. The ushers were very pleasant and smiley. They assisted us in filling out our forms. It was a bit confusing especially for married women. Remember: Last Name (your father’s surname) Husband’s Surname for Married Woman (your husband’s surname), Given Name (your name), and Middle Name (your mother’s maiden surname). Write in BLOCK CAPITAL letters. This will help the encoders to key in your information accurately. For purpose, if it’s for employment, put Local; if it’s travel, put travel; if it’s visa application purposes, write Visa-(country you’re going to) e.g. Visa-Canada, Visa-China etc.
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Converted cinema into a NBI Clearance Center |
After 30 minutes, the line started moving again.
The encoders just key in whatever you wrote in the
application form, then they warn you to look closely at the info they just typed in,
because if you gave your OK to the data on screen then realized that there was
a mistake, you have to pay the P115 again for an amended clearance. On that day they had a lot of trainees who act
as encoders. They were not really that familiar with the system. I wrote
Visa-Canada as purpose in my application form, but the encoder chose
Travel-Canada from the drop down menu. When I asked the supervisor, he said it
there was a Visa-Canada option down in the menu and he reprimanded my encoder.
NBI clearance is an important document. It is needed for work here and abroad,
travel, even migration. I mean people’s futures are on the line here and maybe
they shouldn’t trust the trainees with such a critical job as encoding. Not
everybody is as meticulous as me. This will set them back a month if the
information on the clearance is not accurate!
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Berto helping Bea with the biometrics, pardon the blurred pic =) |
After encoding, biometrics was next. They take a really dark
picture of you thru a web cam. I asked if I could smile, the NBI guy said go
ahead. I initially felt bad that I didn’t retouch my make-up but when I saw how
bad the picture was, I realized it wouldn’t have made any difference. Fingerprinting came next. The biometrics process took less than a minute,
then my receipt was handed back to me with a date stamped on the back, one month
after. I was a hit? I looked at hubby and he was a hit too, so was our Bea. I
thought it was another system error but when we approached the officer-in-charge
to clarify the matter, he said that this was the SOP for applications for Visa purposes,
auto-hit. Then he said that if we were in a hurry, we can request it to be
rushed and we get the clearances within 30 minutes instead a month, for a small
of P500 each. We had no choice. P1,500 went out our pocket and went into his.
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A snack after the tiring process |
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Almost done! |
We were done at around 10:00 am, just in time for the mall
opening. I must say, that was quite an experience, but I wouldn’t want to do
that again. The problem is the long line since they only accommodate 500
applicants a day, but once inside the process is a breeze.
REMINDERS:
Proper attire for NBI applicants:
Wearing of shorts, sandos, mini skirts, and slippers are strictly NOT ALLOWED.
They require two valid IDs. Don't forget to photocopy them. Any two of these will do:
Valid
passport
School
ID
Voter’s
ID
TIN
ID
Driver’s
License
Philhealth
ID
PRC
License
Authenticated
Birth Cert
SSS
ID
Alien
Cert of Registration
GSIS
UMID
Senior
Citizen
Postal
ID
Previous
Copy of NBI Clearance
Take care when filling out the application form, especially for married women.
Remember: Last Name (your father’s surname) Husband’s Surname for Married Woman (your husband’s surname), Given Name (your name), and Middle Name (your mother’s maiden surname).
Here is a sample:
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Sample Application Form |
Here are some NBI Clearance Centers from all over the Philippines:
Robinsons Place Ermita
(Basement 1) M. Adriatico Cor. Pedro Gil St. Ermita, Manila
Robinsons Otis
(Level 2) Dr. Paz Mendoza Guanzon St., Paco, Manila
Robinsons Galleria
(East Lane, Basement 1) Edsa Cor. Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City
Robinsons Metro East Pasig
(Level 4) Marcos Highway, Brgy. Dela Paz, Pasig City
Robinsons Cainta
(Level 2) Ortigas Avenue Extension, Junction Cainta, Rizal
Ever Gotesco Grand Central
(3rd Floor, Cinema 5) Rizal Avenue Extension (Monumento), Caloocan City
Ever Gotesco Manila Plaza
(3rd Floor, Cinema 3) C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila
Mandaluyong City Hall
Muntinlupa City Hall
Central Luzon Regional Office
Capitol Compound, San Fernando City, Pampanga
Calabarzon Regional Office
Capitol Site, Batangas City
Laguna District Office
City Of Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Central Visayas Regional Office
Capitol Site, Cebu Citry
Eastern Visayas Regional Office
Sto. Nino Extension, Tacloban City
Western Visayas Regional Office
Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City
Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office
J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City
Northeastern Mindanao Regional Office
Provincial Capitol Compound, Cagayan De Oro City
Dagupan District Office
A.B. Fernandez West, Dagupan City, Pangasinan
Cordillera Administrative Regional Office
125 Upper Session Road Baguio City
Cagayan Valley Regional Office
Carig Regional Center, Tuguegarao City
Caraga Regional Office
2nd Flr, Fcb Building, J. Rosales Ave., Butuan City
Legazpi District Office
Quezon Avenue, Legazpi City
Sarangani District Office
San Pedro St., Lagao, General Santos City
Tuburan Municipal Office
Tuburan, Cebu
(Basement 1) M. Adriatico Cor. Pedro Gil St. Ermita, Manila
Robinsons Otis
(Level 2) Dr. Paz Mendoza Guanzon St., Paco, Manila
Robinsons Galleria
(East Lane, Basement 1) Edsa Cor. Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City
Robinsons Metro East Pasig
(Level 4) Marcos Highway, Brgy. Dela Paz, Pasig City
Robinsons Cainta
(Level 2) Ortigas Avenue Extension, Junction Cainta, Rizal
Ever Gotesco Grand Central
(3rd Floor, Cinema 5) Rizal Avenue Extension (Monumento), Caloocan City
Ever Gotesco Manila Plaza
(3rd Floor, Cinema 3) C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila
Mandaluyong City Hall
Muntinlupa City Hall
Central Luzon Regional Office
Capitol Compound, San Fernando City, Pampanga
Calabarzon Regional Office
Capitol Site, Batangas City
Laguna District Office
City Of Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Central Visayas Regional Office
Capitol Site, Cebu Citry
Eastern Visayas Regional Office
Sto. Nino Extension, Tacloban City
Western Visayas Regional Office
Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City
Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office
J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City
Northeastern Mindanao Regional Office
Provincial Capitol Compound, Cagayan De Oro City
Dagupan District Office
A.B. Fernandez West, Dagupan City, Pangasinan
Cordillera Administrative Regional Office
125 Upper Session Road Baguio City
Cagayan Valley Regional Office
Carig Regional Center, Tuguegarao City
Caraga Regional Office
2nd Flr, Fcb Building, J. Rosales Ave., Butuan City
Legazpi District Office
Quezon Avenue, Legazpi City
Sarangani District Office
San Pedro St., Lagao, General Santos City
Tuburan Municipal Office
Tuburan, Cebu
For further concerns, click the link to the NBI frequently asked questions.
UPDATE: FYI, a reader informed me that when he/she went to Ever Gotesco Commonwealth last September 9, 2013 and sadly, the NBI Clearance Center there is no longer open. You should probably just drop by the NBI website to check out the updated list of Clearance Centers before heading to one. Thanks!
UPDATE: FYI, a reader informed me that when he/she went to Ever Gotesco Commonwealth last September 9, 2013 and sadly, the NBI Clearance Center there is no longer open. You should probably just drop by the NBI website to check out the updated list of Clearance Centers before heading to one. Thanks!
11 comments:
Went there earlier before I saw your blog, should have read it first. At least there's someone who writes about these updated processes and stuff online.
The Special Appointment is for those who got cut off yesterdays' processing. I was one of them. I visited the NBI site at EVER Commonwealth the day before and I was asked to log in the lady guards' record book and was given a piece of paper to have it signed by the manager inside the premises and was asked to come back at 7-8 am in the morning. Before I left, i read the guidelines posted on the boards to ensure I have all the things I need once I come back.
Unfortunately for me, no one mentioned anything about photo copying my IDs. It was never posted outside the NBI place. They will only announce it when you're there, and a signage before you come in the side entrance that it's a "new requirement."
By that I was late with my so called "Special Appointment" because I had to rush to the copier (did I mention they were the only one open at 6 am in the morning) and line-up again. This shouldn't have happened if in the first place they posted a notice on the bulletin boards outside the cinema entrance or at the lobby entrance of the mall. I could have photocopied my IDs the day before.
Not all people can go online and check out their website. Most of the time they go by asking around and reading the bulletin boards.
Two Words: nightmare and monopoly.
Thanks for clarifying what the "special appointment" was all about. =)
Regarding the photocopy machine, that happened to a person in our line too. We were already asked to go inside but she still wasn't back from the copiers, probably because of the number of people getting their IDs photocopied. Tsk tsk. such a hassle.
I wonder how long it took for you guys to finish the whole ordeal?
Actually, it was really the waiting in line that took so long. Once inside the theater, it took us less than 2 hours, including the wait due to technical problems and "rush" verification and printing.
The whole ordeal lasted more than 5 hours, from falling in line up to being handed the final printed clearance.
Thanks for this info! It helped me to prepare the requirements for securing an NBI clearance. I'm near Commonwealth and that's where I'm going to get my NBI. Thanks a lot! Nice blog by the way! :)
Thanks Nez, glad to know my blabbing in this blog is helpful to some people out there. =) Do drop by from time to time...
Hi! It was nice to read your experience, was able to arm myself with info. Unfortunately, according to the security guard of the mall, the satellite office in Ever Commonwealth has closed (I went there last September 9, 2013). It would be helpful to your future readers if you could put an update on top of this post. Just a suggestion, though. :) Hassle lang talaga kumuha ng NBI Clearance, isa pa naman sa laging hinihingi to lalo na sa mga nag-a-apply. Kawawa yung mga contractuals.
Hi! Thanks for the heads up. Already updated my post. Thanks again!
I'm getting ready to process my NBI Clearance today. Let me give you updates for anything I would notice new or different with regard to the overall process.
Thank you for sharing guys! And neat work on your blog.
Almost useless blog wala narin nbi sa ever commonwealth
Hi Anonymous April 27, 2014
If you took the time to read the comments and the update on the lower part of my post, you'd know that I did mention that it is closed.
Does that make my whole blog useless?? Basa-basa din pag may time.
*patola mode on
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