NBI clearance for proof of legal stay

Hi, Richard, I’m afraid it doesn’t count. Proof of legal stay refers to your residence permit or work permit. If you stay in Philippines temporarily, it’s almost impossible for you to apply for PRC entry permit. In that case, you should apply for it in your own country.

I own a house and I have been living here since 2012 without going back to Canada
I have a Philippines drivers lisence and lease contracts since 2012

In this case, you just need to provide your residence permit or work permit in Philippines.

May I ask your level of authority on the mater? I've been living here for 4 years. Really? I have to go to Canada for the application?

If you have been living there for 4 years, you must have residence permit or work permit. You just need to prove that you stay in Philippines legally for a long time.
In this case, you don’t need to go back to Canada to apply for it.

In the Philippines you can stay just by extending every 2 months.... But I do have an alien regestered card ACR-I maybe that will work as proof of legal stay?

So it's not a long-term resident permit, right? In this case, I am afraid that you may not apply successfully from Chinese embassy. According to my knowledge, foreigners are usually required to provide their long-term resident permits if they apply in the third country.

Anyway, you can call the embassy to confirm this.
Tel: 0063-2-8482395 (09:00 to 11:00, 14:00 to 16:00 on working days)