I know I'm morally good; I have a little paper that says so

[afuna]

Spent today, and this week, getting my documents in order: taking ID pictures, getting a certified true copy of my birth certificate, signing up for SSS (social security... system?), getting a TIN (tax identification number), applying for Philhealth, making a copy of my passport, digging up my transcript of records, going through a medical checkup, obtaining barangay clearance, and getting cleared by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation).

So, having proven that I'm of sound mind and body, have no criminal records, can travel overseas if required, am of good moral character, have been entered into the system properly and thus am taxable/insured/<adjective applicable to social security>eligible for benefits (thanks cindyg!), I can start work on Monday.

This week has been a blur of standing in line and signing stuff. The NBI claiming section had the longest line of them all, but NBI is not as bad as I thought. Everyone told me it would take the whole day, but the entire process (including waiting in line to pay, get fingerprinted, have my photo taken, and then claim the clearance form) barely took half a day. I'm amused by the fingerprinting guys over at NBI.

The SSS office had a mostly dried out stamp pad in the back of the room, which you could use to stamp your thumbprint to the form. I guess this wasn't good enough for the NBI; they had no less than three guys who efficiently and briskly inked your fingers, affixed your fingerprints to the form, and then offered up moist towelettes for 5 pesos afterwards.

Claiming the clearance form took the longest, since there was only one window where you could claim it from. The line was long; I stood there for almost an hour. Brought a book, though, so it was nothing ;-)

(Then I found out that my first employer is supposed to take care of my TIN and SSS for me -- oops!)

Comments

[pauamma]

"barangay clearance"?

[afuna]

A barangay is basically a political subdivision of a city. It's like an... area/community. I'm not sure what the equivalent is in other countries.

The barangay clearance is a form which says, "This is to certify that $name of legal age, and of good moral character, is a bonafide resident of this barangay. She is presently residing at $address." (Which, incidentally, is where I got the title of this entry).

[aveleh]

Work, yay!

[afuna]

*grin* Earning money, yay!

[habeo.livejournal.com]

I'm amused by the fingerprinting guys over at NBI. Glad you didn't get the snooty ones. The guy in front of me got an earful when he was "fidgeting" too much, and not "relaxing" his fingers enough for the "oh great and mighty professional fingerprinter-stamper-guy" to do his job quickly.

His whole rant lasted a good minute, considering it was supposed to be a 20 second job.

Oh wait, you'd still be amused. Hell, I am now. XD

[afuna]

Hahah! I can just imagine! Mine was good-natured, though. Very brisk, but not rude at all ;)

[atomic-clay.livejournal.com]

Man, I still haven't had this done! Our company doesn't require us to. :))

[afuna]

Talaga? What company do you work for? I assumed that all companies required it. (I think all my coursemates had to go through it -- maybe there's something inherently untrustworthy about CS graduates? ;-))

[atomic-clay.livejournal.com]

Mitchell Madison. I guess they trust us ADMU/UP (majority, about oh, 98%) graduates. :p

[afuna]

Ooh! Hmm, Mitchell Madison, sa Ortigas diba? (And ang cute niyo naman hehe :-))

[atomic-clay.livejournal.com]

Haha, we're in Eastwood now. :)

[afuna]

Oh! Pero you were in Ortigas dati? :)

[atomic-clay.livejournal.com]

Yep, we were. :)

[lady-angelina.livejournal.com]

Yay, congrats on getting all of that out of the way! :D And good luck, hon! ^__^

[afuna]

Thank you! I'm very nervous, as silly as it may sound! *grin*

[cindyg.livejournal.com]

adjective applicable to social security

Try "eligible for benefits" - because that's where your retirement money, health, salary loans, etc. are coming from.

It has been said that once you qualify for a loan, you should take out a small one every year. Just to make sure the system still knows who you are; otherwise, shady people might embezzle the money that's supposed to be put away for you. Food for thought...

Congratulations on work and salary benefits!

^__^

[afuna]

Aha, edited my entry to reflect that. Thanks!

And hmmm. Qualify for a loan, that takes a couple of years, right? I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice; it'll come in handy :D