NBI mulls clearance fee hike

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is mulling a fee increase in securing clearance for applicants seeking jobs here and abroad from the present rate of P115 to P150.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said officials are now studying the increase to help generate its own operational expenses without depending on the national government.

"We are now in the process of discussing the issue. The fee hike will be reasonable," Wycoco said.

He said the increase will help unburden the national government which provides a budget to the bureau annually. This year’s NBI budget is about P650 million.

Based on records, Wycoco said about four million individuals secured NBI clearances in 2003. He said the figure was twice that of the previous year. Job applicants are required to secure NBI clearance to ensure they don’t have criminal records.

Early this year, the NBI office that issues clearance moved to the Plaza Carriedo, a five-story building in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The NBI chief said the increase in the NBI clearance fee would contribute to the national government effort to address the fiscal crisis in the country.

President Arroyo has ordered all government offices to observe austerity measures and help address the fiscal crisis.

In response to the order, Wycoco has suspended "flexible time" being observed by NBI employees. The scheme had required them to choose from among the three working hours. — Cecille Suerte Felipe