NBI launches more GMA kiosks
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday urged citizens applying for a clearance to avail of its GMA (Gawin Mo Agad) kiosk services to facilitate quick release of permits either for jobs or travel purposes even as the lead investigating agency launches more of it in major cities of the country.
Officials said the GMA was originally launched in October 2003 in different provinces and cities. Its success made the NBI expand its operation across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The installation of the GMA kiosks would help all NBI regional offices hasten the release of clearances, officials said.
Officials said an NBI applicant can get a clearance in a span of several minutes when processed by a GMA kiosk. The “Gawin Mo Agad” program is a system that allows the public to renew their clearances in just five minutes through the use of a high-tech and the most advanced facial and fingerprint biometrics for identification.
The GMA machine is a self-service kiosk that operates similar to a vending machine, accepting payments by clearance applicants, and eliminating the need for a cashier.
The Clearance Renewal Card will store the applicant’s facial and fingerprint biometrics, and information needed by the NBI Clearance Processing System to automatically process permits. Because of the biometric features stored in the machines, the card can only be used by the person to whom it was issued.
The NBI said more GMA kiosks would be installed in malls in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod in central Philippines and Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and General Santos cities in the southern Philippines. Also in Naga, San Fernando, Pampanga, Dagupan, Cabanatuan, Tuguegarao, Baguio, Batangas City, Lucena, in Luzon and Bacoor, Imus, Las Piñas, Fairview, Calamba, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Bicutan, and Sucat, all in the National Capital Region. (Al Jacinto)