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I went to the NBI office at Carriedo back in November 2008. I knew from past experience that I couldn’t get my NBI clearance renewed at the mall-based kiosks because I have some namesakes who have a bad record in the NBI.

When I reached the Carriedo office, I’ve found that there were a few technology developments since my previous visit in 2005. Highly notable was the NBI Payment Kiosk System.

Payment Kiosk System

Payment is Step No. 1 in getting an NBI clearance. There is the usual manual payment line where a human cashier who accepts your payment. You’ll see from the photo below how long the lines are.

Step 1: NBI Payment - long lines at the manual cashiers

On the other hand, there is the Payment Kiosk System. It is set of automated machines that accepts payments like a vendo machine. This complements the manual payment made to a cashier.

And the lines a whole lot shorter! (photo after the jump) …

NBI Payment Kiosk

The Payment Kiosk accepts exact payment with one 100 peso bill and three 5 peso coins. This is the exact amount needed for one NBI clearance. Payments are given to the machine through a paper bill slot and a coin slot. The machine does not return any change.

NBI Payment Kiosk accepts exact change only

The Payment Kiosk has an interface that’s written both in English and Tagalog. To interact with the machine, the user gives input through a numeric keypad. Users will be asked to choose between “local” clearance or “international” clearance. If you need more than one clearance, you just need to go through the process twice.

NBI Payment Kiosk System interface - written in English and Filipino

After going through the automated payment process, the machine will print a receipt for the user. This is the receipt to be used in the next step of the clearance.

I wondered why the lines were so long at the manual payment, but so short at the machine payment. One thing is the awareness of people, perhaps a fear of technology, or a fear of failure. I think people are wary of making a mistake while using the machine and not having human assistance nearby to help avert or correct the mistake.

Why aren't people using the machines?

There were NBI (or contractor) employees nearby. When I asked them why only a few people use the machines, the employee ventured to say that it’s probably because people don’t have exact change. hmmm….

Here’s the tip

If the mall-based NBI kiosks can’t do your clearance and you have to go to Carriedo to get an NBI clearance, save yourself some sweat and some 20 minutes.

Instead of lining up at the manual cashier, use the Payment Machine Kiosk which will take just a minute for the same transaction.

Don’t forget to bring exact change: one P100 bill and three P5 coins.

And lastly, write your name on the receipt so that other people can’t use your receipt.

e-Gov on Technobiography is published every Wednesday morning. See e-Government category for more articles.
Next week: BIR’s Electronic Filing and Payment System.

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