TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, August 31 (PIA) -- First time job seekers can get their new police clearances for free, while senior citizens and persons with disabilities can get discounts.

This as the Philippine National Police (PNP) implements this year the National Police Clearance System (NPCS), an integrated digitized crime clearance system which is part of the long-term police transformation program that seeks to modernize the country's PNP.

Hosted now by four police stations here, the new set up is a part also of the mandate of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to fast track the release of documents and hasten government processes, said Bohol Provincial Police Officer and Camp Dagohoy Operations Officer Police Major Norman Nuez.

Unlike the local police clearance, the old certification is based on records within the municipality, while the new NPCS uses an integrated nationwide databank at the police headquarters which unifies all records tagged to the name of the individual, explained Police Master Sgt. Celso Orapa of the Tagbilaran City PNP.

When one applies for a police clearance, personal records go to a databank which is updated every time an entry on the name is added to the website, added Police Corporal Niño Esdrelon, the city NPCS in charge.

Unlike then when people need to go to the police station to secure their police clearances, now they can file their requests online, set an appointment, process the online or cash payments, and ready their government-issued IDs and authenticated birth certificate, Esdrelon said.

Since NCPS is nationwide, one can go to a police station installed with the NPCS and claim the certificate, even if he or she does not reside in the place.

All police stations are also tasked to upload all crime profiles real time, as this will also update the NCPS database. 

For Boholano job seekers in far-flung areas, they do not need to come home to get a clearance as they can process their application online, said Police Lt. Augusto Cesario Sumaylo during the weekly Kapihan sa PIA aired over DyTR and livestreamed online. 

Unlike the old police clearance too, the local police will no longer accept payments as this is done through online facilities or through bank transfers with the following fees - P160 at the bank and P180 thru online facilities like GCash or Paymaya.

All they need to do is log on to www.pnpclearance.ph and register using their personal email.

From there, applicants will set the appointment date from the menu, click on the payment mode, and the appointment is processed after the payment is reflected.

The appointment identifies the location of the police station where the clearance will be claimed and when. 

While the NCPS was piloted for Tagbilaran City, now it is available in Tubigon, Talibon, and Jagna where the PNP set the equipment needed to access the national police database. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)