'Faster' NBI Clearance system launched

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima hoped for long queues to soon be shortened as she announced the completion of a "faster" National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance system for the public.

"The new Clearance system provides a more reliable platform for the efficient processing of applicants' information. With the improved search engine and query database, the accurate releasing of clearances will be faster," De Lima said.

De Lima said the new process was given a trial run last January 2 at the NBI main office along Taft Avenue. As of Wednesday, 29 sites nationwide have gone online with the fresh system.

Reports on Tuesday, however, noted that the new process have so far caused longer queues at the Taft branch that it reached Maria Orosa Street two blocks away.

NBI Assistant Director Medardo de Lemos asked the public for patience as the bureau is still adjusting to the newly acquired hardware.

The new system features an automated cashiering module designed for consistent accounting reports that eliminate malversation and corruption. It also has a renewal module to make shorten waiting time of those who already have old records.

"This is a first in the history of the Department and of the Bureau--our very own clearance system that was internally developed as part of our flagship National Justice Information System Project," De Lima said.

Third party contractors ran previous systems used to process the in-demand NBI documents.