Getting My First NBI Clearance

It was my first time getting an NBI clearance. I started out the day late. I left my house at around 11AM in the morning(I stayed up late coz I was making this blog - my first - the previous night.). I tried the Municipal Hall of Pasig, unfortunately, they don't have a NBI satellite office anymore. Ayon sa Mamang traffic enforcer, "sa Quiapo na sir!". The first thing that went into my mind is...wtf! Why is the government making it hard for us tax payers to get important documents like this?! I got home quickly, went online and googled the steps on how to get a clearance. As soon as I got the address, I went off.

Carriedo Plaza Building
Carriedo St. cor Estero Cegado and Sales St.
Quiapo, Manila
Tel. no. 734-4907, 734-2922

To get to Carriedo, I took an fx going to Quiapo. In Echague(this is the fx's last stop), I took the underpass and you should be able to see a sign pointing you to Carriedo. I got to the NBI clearance office at 2:30pm. If you're planning to go there to get a clearance, I suggest make it earlier. Prepare at least 150pesos for your trip. Make sure to bring a black pen too. I left at around 3:30pm. I spent an hour - not bad considering the crowd at that time. I wasn't able to get the clearance yet because it was set to be released on the 18th.

Have you noticed that most, if not all, government employees look miserable? (Bato bato sa langit, tamaan wag magalit!) Parang biyernes santo ang mukha - sign of how much they really really love their work. My opinion - most of them skipped the customer service training when they got hired. Anyway, I was met by a rude employee on the 6th step of the process. I wasn't able to get the name because they don't have name tags on - which I think they should. As soon as he stamped my receipt, I asked "Sir dun na ba sunod?(pointing to the 7th and last step line). He opened his lips, didn't hear a word he said. I asked again, "Sir dun ba?" This time I heard it, he said, "sa 18". Wondering what he meant by that, I asked again, "Sir dun?" As soon as I uttered these words, he looked at me for the first time, voice raised, he said "Sir, basahin mo kasi yang nilagay ko eh!" Can you imagine the attitude? I was asking nicely. Besides, we pay for their salaries. They should treat their customers with the utmost respect. Is this the way they treat "slow" customers like me? By the way, the stamp reads "Feb 18 2009" in small font.

My advise is, before you enter a government office, psych yourself. Breath deep, exhale, and release the negative energy in your body. You'll need all the patience you can get. Don't stoop to a lower level. You are the fortunate one. Lastly, be thankful - be thankful that you're not on their side of the fence.