So after I got my final clearance from DOST Cebu – the second step to getting that passport is to get my NBI clearance for travel abroad. When I applied for my NBI clearance in 2004, I did not get a hit maybe because it was only for local emplyment. When I got another clearance in 2009, I got a hit with the DOST – SEI contractual obligation. So now, it’s time to go through the whole thing again.
We went to the NBI Dumaguete office (near Capitol) along with another co-scholar and it was packed. I was hoping that it was not busy because it was the Palarong Pambansa, but I was wrong. We went there around 10. We got a number, then waited for our number to be called so we could pay and have the application form. We paid P115, then filled out our application form (bring a pen since they do not have one there that you can borrow) then we were told to come back at 12. They do not have lunch breaks which is very good. That was 10:30AM.
We came back at 1PM, told the girl at the window that we were told to come back at 12. She told us to wait for our names to be called again. When my name was called, I was told to sit in front of the monitor along with the web camera and a biometric scanner. I watched while the girl encoded my information, making sure that the spelling is correct, and then she took a snapshot and my fingerprints on the scanner. I have to say, I appreciate the upgrade that they did on the fingerprint scanning, way back, we had to wash the ink of our fingers.
As expected, the girl immediately told me that I got a hit. They had to verify the reason of the hit in their Manila office so we were told to come back after 10-15 working days. Although I already know the reason, and I have the documents to get that hit off my name, I don’t have much of a choice but to wait. So I guess, I’ll see NBI again in a month. We left NBI at 1:45PM.
Xavy & Mom 