by Alex Roldan
Transacting with government agencies and offices is famous for being irksome, uneasy and worse, time-consuming. I am aware that offices have transaction flows, but you still hear grumbling from the public. The fact that “fixers” thrive, this goes to show that despite innovations made by some government offices, the public still finds, even so, the process inappropriate.
There are no easy solutions, as government offices have to be extra careful in issuing documents due to legal and administrative constraints even though these offices have to deal with hundreds of people everyday. However, this does not prevent some government agencies from finding ways to deal with the problem, and I can vouch for it.
Recently, I processed my clearances with some of them because of my past employment in government and was amazed to see how these changes are unfolding. Though my observations are limited to a few offices, not pleasant, but let me acquaint you with my observations and experiences.
What I consider the best office to transact with on my list is the Civil Service Commission Region 11. Upon my approach, the guard immediately led me to the personnel inside the office who inquired about my purpose and made me sign the logbook for visitors. What was amazing was that he took the trouble of leaving his desk to accompany me to the desk of other personnel who processed my request. After a few questions and answers, I was asked to wait on a comfortable couch nearby. While waiting, an official who came from another room approached me and politely asked if I was already being assisted adequately, to which I replied positively. The whole process lasted less than 20 minutes after which I received my clearance neatly folded and placed inside an envelope. No fees collected.
Next on my list is the Office of the Ombudsman. Though the guards need to improve on their decorum, such as the manner of asking about your purpose, the whole process is worth praising. The staff on the other side of the table was very accommodating to my request. She informed me that it normally takes three weeks before I could get my clearance. I was dismayed to hear those words and asked if there was any way this could be expedited, showing her a document on why I needed the clearance soonest. She asked me courteously to wait so she could confer with another official. While waiting, a police officer inside the room gestured to me with his hands to show me where a water and juice dispenser stood, saying, “may I offer you water or juice, sir?” I had a lump in my throat from the totally unexpected offer. To make a long story short, I got my official clearance after only a few days. No fees collected.
Third on my list for getting a clearance is the National Bureau of Investigation. However, the process despite being straightforward along with the usual annoying “for verification” cases for some applicants, the situation there is awful. The area is cramped, humid and calls for strong legs to support one’s weight for the hours of standing as there are not enough seats. Though you hear courteous voices through the loudspeakers, it still takes over three hours of waiting under those conditions before you know if you are “clean” or that your application needs further verification that could extend the issuance of clearance another ten working days. Fee collected — P115 — depending on the type of your application.
Fourth on my list is getting a police clearance. Though the processing is much faster this time, the same cramped condition is just terrible. The area is too small for the usual number of applicants, with very few seats and, worse, I could not find a comfort room. I would have ignored such a situation had I not I noticed that a smart-looking lady (whom I had seen earlier being assisted by a police officer while filling-up a form), had gotten her clearance ahead of the rest of us ordinary mortals despite her having arrived later than we did.
Last, but not the least, is getting a certificate of clearance from City Hall. It needs 12 heads of offices to sign. Be prepared to wait for at least a month for the document to be released. I think they call it “red tape”. Makes you see RED!
For comments, e-mail to roldanlex@yahoo.com
