http://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/permanent-resident-visa
I didn't need a NBI clearance document for my 13A. I guess they do a background check similar to the yearly registration (first 60 days of each year), which I read somewhere is a check of the interpol data base, to see if you have an international arrest warrent.
13A is a 2 step process, first you get temporary 1 year visa which is converted to permanent visa in
your passport after 1 year. The associated ACR card has a 5 year validity date.
On top of that you also have expiry date of your passport, so 6 months prior to expiry you need to
get new passport, and transfer the permanent residency visa to your new passport.
So quite a bit of legwork involved to keep all your papers up to date.