NBI launches e-payment system for clearances

Securing a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is expected to get even faster with the launch of the agency's electronic payment (e-payment) system on Thursday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.

The e-payment system comes two months after the NBI made the application for an NBI clearance available online. Prior to that, the NBI had also put up satellite offices where people can have their clearance applications processed.

"Ang pinakabago na ni-launch ngayon ay yung e-payment. Eh di lalong ma-cut down at mare-reduce iyong time. Kita niyo naman kanina, talagang mabilis," said De Lima during the NBI's 78th anniversary celebration in its headquarters in Manila.

The new system for the NBI clearance processing started its dry run last July 1.

One of the reasons for the long lines at the NBI last July was the expiration of the contract of Mega Data Corp., the previous technology partner of the agency for clearance processing.

Mega Data Corp., which had served the data processing needs of the NBI for more than 30 years, reportedly pulled out all its software and hardware equipment after their contract with the agency expired, which allegedly caused the processing bottleneck.

Due to the influx of people at the NBI Clearance Center in Manila, the NBI even had to convert their gymnasium into a clearance processing center.

During Thursday's anniversary celeberation, De Lima said House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, who attended the event, gave her "good news" that apart from the NBI Modernization Bill, lawmakers are are also prioritizing the passage of the Bureau of Immigration Bill at the House level.

"Sabi ko nga, kung puwede magsabay-sabay na. Kasi these two are frontline attached agencies ng DOJ... Sana mga mapasa na yung NBI at BI Modernization," she said.

The modernization bills are expected to bring about the upgrading of positions and salaries of employees of the two agencies, as well as the hiring of more personnel.

"In terms of the equipment, mamo-modernize. Kasi tataas ang budget for capital outlay and then sa pagpupurchase ng much needed equipment, sa forensics division ng NBI," said De Lima. — Mark Merueñas/JDS, GMA News