The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VII advises those who will secure a travel clearance for minors, ages 17 years old and below, to file the application at least two weeks before the date of travel.
“The travel clearance is approved and issued within 24 hours as long as supporting documents are complied with and the social worker’s assessment is completed,” said Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre.
“However, we discourage people to process their application two days or one day before the actual date of travel. It would be better if they can process it ahead of time to avoid inconveniences,” underscored Macapobre.
“There were instances that the minor was not allowed to take his flight because he failed to present a travel clearance at the airport,” Macapobre added.
Director Macapobre said that the travel clearance aims to prevent child trafficking and other forms of abuse that a minor might encounter while traveling in another country.
A minor traveling to a foreign country with a person other than his or her parents and an illegitimate child going abroad with a person other than his or her mother must secure a travel clearance.
The issuance of a travel clearance is specified under the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.
The requirements needed to obtain a travel clearance for minors traveling abroad are:
- Duly accomplished application form;
- Photocopy of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) issued birth certificate of minor;
- Notarized affidavit of consent of both parents, solo parent or legal guardian permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country alone or with a specific companion indicating the destination and the purpose of the travel; and,
- Three (3) pieces colored passport size photo of the minor taken within the last six months.
If the minor’s parents or legal guardian cannot process the clearance, an authorization letter should be presented by the duly authorized representative.
For minors under the care of their parents, they should present a photocopy of PSA-issued marriage certificate of their parents.
For minors under the care of legal guardians, they should present a photocopy of the certificate of legal guardianship of the minor.
For minors under the care of a solo parent, they should present either a photocopy of the solo parent identification card or a photocopy of a solo parent certification from the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
For minors with a deceased parent, they should present a photocopy of the parent’s death certificate.
For illegitimate minors, they should present a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) from PSA.
If these illegitimate minors are traveling abroad accompanied by their biological father, they are still required to secure a travel clearance certificate as parental authority is vested only to the mother of the child, per Article 176 of the Family Code of the Philippines.
If the minor is traveling with a person other than the parents or legal guardian, a photocopy of the passport and visa of the traveling companion should be presented.
If the minor has already a passport and visa, this should also be presented along with the other supporting documents.
Personal appearance of the minor in the DSWD regional office is not necessary.
The application for travel clearance together with the required supporting documents and a payment of Php 300.00 per minor shall be submitted by the parent/s, legal guardian or a duly authorized representative to the DSWD Field Office VII located at MJ Cuenco Avenue corner Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Brgy. Carreta, Cebu City.
From January to June 2016, DSWD Field Office VII has issued 1,399 travel clearances to minors traveling abroad. ###
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