The Day I Survived the Metro

Before I start my new job next week, the company is expected for me to complete the requirements (medical exams and documents). I Googled on how to get NBI Clearance faster and one blog said it’s faster if I get it in their main headquarters in UN Avenue, Manila. The last time I got my NBI Clearance is in the Mandaluyong City Hall and it took me 6-7 hours (they only give it to the first 500 applicants). The place is not well ventilated and the line is from ground floor to third floor! And I don’t want to experience that again.
So after I received a text message from Sykes, I decided to get the NBI Clerance in NBI Main HQ the next day and the best way to get there is via MRT3 & LRT1. I thought it will just take less than 1 hour from Boni station to UN station, I was wrong. It took me 2 hours (including the waiting for the train, slow moving train and human traffic in the Metropoint link) and the fare is Php 80.00 (back and forth)!
While in the NBI building, the line in the Step 1 (filling up the form) is not that organized until I reached Step 2 (Payment). It’s only Php 115.00 for employment use. Then I went to the 2nd floor for Step 3 (Encoding & Printing). All in all it took me 2 hours to get the clearance that will expire after a year (FYI, Police Clerance is just 6 months). I have my passport and old NBI Clearance for verification.
It’s almost 12 noon and I need to pass by the nearest SSS Branch (inside the YMCA Compound, besides SM Manila). I lost my UMID and I need a replacement. The guard there told me to go back the next day because the computer for biometrics is broken and I need to fill up the forms, pay Php 300.00 (via bank) for the replacement ID card and an affidavit of loss. I decided to just get a verification for my contributions by the recent company. Of course it’s another long line that took me 30 mins just for verifications. That’s how our government office works!
After that, I got an affidavit of loss nearby for Php 150.00. Then took the LRT1 and MRT3 for me to be at Sykes Recruitment Hub. It’s not rush hour and it was just approximately 45 minutes. That’s how to survive the Metro, it’s more fun in the Philippines!

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