A legitimate child traveling abroad with any one of the biological parents is not required to secure a travel clearance, according to a senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
DSWD Assistant Secretary Ada Colico further that the issuance of travel clearance is one of the department’s statutory services which ensures that a minor traveling abroad is protected from possible trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.
Based on the DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 22, Series of 2024 titled Guidelines in the Implementation of the Digitized Travel Clearance for Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA), there are other circumstances where a minor is not required to secure a travel clearance.
These are when the child is accompanied by the biological mother, if the minor is illegitimate;
the minor’s father who has been granted sole parental custody or custody by the proper court, if the minor is illegitimate; the minor’s legal guardian.
A child who is traveling with the adoptive parents with adoption decree and Certificate of finality is not also required to apply for a travel clearance.
For those required to secure a travel clearance for a minor traveling abroad alone or with companion other than the parents, Asst. Secretary Colico said the DSWD issues the travel clearance only through the agency’s newly-launched online Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) portal.
Colico said the issuance of a travel clearance has been a regular service of the DSWD.
“We have been securing the travel permit for a long time, when children or minors travel without the parent, to secure the welfare and the best interest of the child, that they cannot be exploited or subjected to human trafficking or any kinds of abuse. That is our prevention side so that we can prevent bad things from happening when we make the minor travel to another country,” the official said.
Under the new online system, stricter security measures are incorporated such as the requirement for the presence of the parent, legal guardian or the accompanying adult during the online interview for the assessment of the travel permit application.
The DSWD official, however, assured the public that the online MTA system makes the processing of the travel clearance easier, more accessible in the comforts of their homes. The applicants are also free to set their own online interview schedule.
Considering the full transition to online processing through the online MTA system, the DSWD has instructional how-to-videos regarding its use which are available on the agency’s official website and social media accounts.
The DSWD said it also welcomes any inquiry and request for orientation.