'NBI clearances processed in 5 minutes'

MANILA - Queueing for National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances is now faster with the agency's new online system. NBI chief Virgilio Mendez said the new system has significantly sped up processing by allowing applicants to fill out forms online. "Just today, we were able to process 8,000 clearances in Manila. Processing will not last 5 minutes. With the new system it has reduced the queueing by 30%. I'm telling the public if you want to go to the NBI and to avoid the queueing, you go in the afternoon. Kumokonti ang tao. Mabilis ang proseso. The online has done so much help," he said. Mendez said NBI clearances generate more than 500 pesos in revenues a year but not a single centavo goes to his agency. He urged Congress to pass the NBI Modernization Bill to help augment the agency's budget. "The budget of NBI is less than P900 million for the whole bureau is just enough for salaries, repairs, not even enough for capital outlays. We cannot even purchase vehicles. All these problems are there," he said. "That's the reason why we are pleading that we have this modernization law so that it can be emphasized that part of it goes for the operation of the office," he added. ANC, January 29, 2014