3:12PM March 14, 2013 - Thursday
I decided to get a Postal ID (the easiest valid id that you can get as they say) in our city of Bacoor in the province of Cavite. I have searched in different forums about how much a postal id cost and based on some blog authors.. it only range from 200-300 and you can get it minutes after you have filed for one as long as you have complete requirements which are the following:
- 3pcs 2x2 picture (white background, wear shirts with collar)
- Birth Certificate (photocopy of NSO or LCR birth certificate will do)
- Cedula (issued by the Barangay)
- Barangay Clearance
So first thing in the morning after i did my morning routine (jogging and exercise), I've waited until 9am to be sure that the barangay hall is open. There i was first in line and when i asked if i could get a Cedula and a Barangay Clearance, the barangay secretary asked for a Voter's Clearance. He explained to me why is it needed:
- Its an initial requirement before getting a Clearance.
- It will be an assurance or proof that you are from that municipality/barangay/sitio
- If you're residing in a subdivision (such as my case), you must get it from your Home Owners Association President.
- I don't know you (he literally said that)
If i knew that there is a thing called a Voter's Clearance needed, I would be willing to get one ahead of time but the problem was I'm not even a registered voter. So i asked the secretary again regarding my case (non registered voter) and he just said " you still need to get a Voter's Clearance from *insert HOA President's name here*.. then i'll give you you're clearance. Hindi kasi kita kilala".. The phrase "Hindi kasi kita kilala" or simply in english " I don't know you" set it off for me. So does it mean that everybody should befriend you in order to get a clearance? what's wrong with that secretary?
Anyways, I went to our homeowners association and asked for a Voter's Clearance and they asked me if i was a registered voter and i said no. They can't give me a clearance because its just for those who are registered as a voter and not for non registered ones.
So how will i get my Barangay Clearance now? first thing i did was call the Comelec Office here in Cavite and asked what to do (yep, you can ask them that).. i talked to a woman over the phone and told me to get a Certificate of Non Registration from the nearest Comelec office (usually its located in your Municipal Hall) and then present it to the barangay in order for me to get a Barangay Clearance. She also wondered why is it a requirement for a clearance so i just said i don't know. Still i did not procure one because i told my sister to call the barangay to settle the issue and yes, the barangay secretary gave in. I also asked for a Cedula so he gave me one. Just to be sure i asked him what are the requirements to get a Postal ID and he said the things above (bulleted). I've shown him my birth certificate and asked him if it was valid (it was a LCR Birth Certificate) and he said its okay. So for those who only have their LCR BC with them, you don't need to get a NSO Certified one for the Postal ID. When he saw my maiden name, he apologized to me and said "sorry hindi po kasi kita nakilala". I just said its okay (i'm not angry at that time,, just pissed lol). He added "dapat sinabi mong *insert maiden name here* para naissue-han na kita agad ng barangay clearance".. Sorry but i am not the type of person who will use his/her maiden name to get ahead of system. but now i know there's a perk for being a member of one of the known clan in our area. LOL..
I went to the Bacoor Municipal Hall situated in Bacoor Bayan. For those who don't know how to get there, here are the two routes i usually take:
- Route 1: From our place (Near Molino) ride a jeepney going to Zapote Talaba/ Baclaran. Get off at Zapote Talaba and ride a jeepney going to Binakayan. Pay 8php and tell the driver to drop you off in the Munisipyo
- Route 2: From SM Bacoor, ride a jeepney/ Baby bus going to Binakayan or Mabolo. Get off at Mabolo and ride a jeepney going Bacoor Bayan or Zapote Kabila. Pay 8php and tell the driver to drop you off in the Munisipyo.
Go to the Post Office (beside Regional Trial Court) and go in the office. Ask the man in the first table that you're getting a Postal ID. present him the requirements and he will give you 2 pieces of the form you will need to fill up. Accomplish the form and wait for him to send you to the next room. He will also ask you to keep your Cedula with you.
Inside the next room, you will see a sign "POSTAL ID" in one of the tables there. A woman will issue you a receipt stating that its only 175 but she will get 350 from you. The additional fee of 175 is divided into:
- Notary
- Document Seals
- A Signature
- Lamination
And there's an additional fee of 80php if you don't have a 2x2 pic with you (or if you have the wrong one/ non collared)
After I have paid for the fees, the woman issued me the receipt and told me to go back the next day at 2pm to get the ID, just present the receipt on the guy outside. (if you won't be able to get the ID at 2pm-5pm the next day, you can get it the following days anytime.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Getting a Certificate of Non Registration
- Go to the Municipal Hall (Its in Bacoor in my case)
- Go to the 4th floor and look for the Comelec Office
- Bring with you your Cedula and a Valid ID
- Present your Cedula and ID if it was asked
- You will then be asked to wait or go back the next day
Getting a Voter's Clearance (if you're a registered voter and doesn't have his voter's id still)
Living in a Subdivision:
- Ask an officer from your Home Owners Association as to where and when you can get one (Usually they will point you to the President of your HOA)
- Ask for the Clearance (make sure he/she signs the clearance or else it will be null and void; also make sure that the one signing is the President of your HOA, the Barangay officials know who the President of each HOA in their area)
Not part of a Subdivision
- Go to the Barangay Hall and talk to the Barangay Secretary, he/she will tell you where you can get one or who will you talk to in order to get one. (There was a girl next to me that was asked to get a voter's clearance from a specific person in their area)
- Go to the location and ask that person for a Voter's Clearance (the person's signature is very important)
- When you leave the Barangay Hall, he/she will call that person to notify him/her of your arrival (the secretary will probably phone him/her)
*If you have your Voter's ID with you, just present it to the secretary to be able to get your Barangay Clearance. No need for a Voter's Clearance.
