BAGUIO CITY – The six-story National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) building will be a game changer in the field of crime investigation as it will be installed with state-of-the-art equipment.

“Nandun na lahat ng state-of-the-art equipment, cyber center, and forensic center. Expect na mas malaki na ang area for clearance applicants, friendly to clients, and magiging maginhawa na sa empleyado unlike the old building (All state-of-the-art equipment will be there, cyber center and forensic center. Also expect a bigger area for clearance applicants, friendly to clients, and more convenient to employees unlike the old building),” NBI-CAR Director Janet Francisco told reporters on the sidelines of the groundbreaking rites for the building here Wednesday.

The structure will replace the agency's 48-year-old building in the city.

“The building of NBI-CAR that used to stand here was inaugurated on Aug 5, 1978. It was the Baguio sub-office, which for nearly 48 years faithfully served the NBI, the generations of NBI agents, investigators, and staff. Like them, the building quietly endured while continuing to fulfill its purpose,” Francisco said during the ceremony.

The project has an initial allocation of P50 million for its first phase, with officials hoping to secure the full P300-million funding needed for its completion.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, meanwhile, described the construction of the new NBI building as "historical, sentimental, and emotional," stressing that the old building serves as a repository of the nearly five decades of the agency's history in the region.

The mayor recalled visiting the NBI Academy about 15 years ago to deliver a lecture to agents, where he witnessed the poor condition of its facilities. He said the agency consistently delivered outstanding performance despite having dilapidated classrooms and infrastructure.

Magalong, a retired police general, described NBI agents as distinguished professionals, having worked closely with them on several occasions during his years in law enforcement and in investigations involving flood control anomalies.

The NBI-CAR compound also hosts the NBI academy, where future agents and investigators of the bureau are trained and equipped with the necessary investigative skills.

He said the building's upgrade is timely amid the increasing threat of cybercrimes and other complex security threats. (PNA)