DOJ: Apply for NBI clearance online

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is transitioning to an online application scheme for the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance for citizens, a system to be made available Friday.

In an advisory on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said applicants may complete the form at www.doj.gov.ph/nbi or www.nbi.gov.ph.

"With the implementation of the new NBI system, we shall continue to roll out and implement solutions to progressively eliminate queues and simplify processes," De Lima said.

The online application followed a purportedly "faster" platform that the DOJ and the NBI launched earlier this month.

Read: 'Faster' NBI Clearance system launched

"Online application is the next logical step for the switch," De Lima said.

Serpentine queues have been observed in NBI offices around the metro as well as the headquarters in Manila with applicants attributing the longer waiting hours to the newly launched system.

NBI Director Virgilio Mendez said, however, that the agency should be given time to adjust.

"This is just our third full week of operation under our watch but we expect significant progress in the coming weeks with the delivery of additional equipment and increase in personnel," Mendez said.

After the online registration, applicants may proceed to any of the 55 NBI sites nationwide for the payment and biometric enrollment preceding the release of the document.