Brgy aid helps stop "modus" at NBI

CEBU, Philippines - Assistance from Barangay Capitol Site has helped prevent individuals from taking advantage of the situation at the office of the National Bureau of Investigation 7.

NBI 7 Director Edward Villarta said the barangay has decided to provide chairs for applicants for NBI clearance and renewal purposely to prevent other people from taking advantage of the long lines outside the NBI.

What happened before, Villarta said, was certain individuals reportedly offer chairs to those falling in line in exchange for P200. Because of this, the NBI sought assistance from the barangay.

Capitol Site Barangay Captain Manuel Guanzon said they did not hesitate to answer the NBI’s call and provided chairs to the applicants.

Aside from the chairs, the barangay also assigned personnel to help give out priority numbers to the applicants so that only 800 people can be entertained each day. The assignment of numbers, Villarta, works both ways for the applicants and the NBI because those without priority numbers would no longer need to fall in line.

“Hindi lang Cebu Province ang ini entertain natin kundi pati na ang Regions 6, 8 and all regions in the Visayas,” he said.

He added there are three places offices of the NBI that use the biometrics system, including those in Davao, Manila and Cebu. — (FREEMAN)