Kids traveling abroad this summer? Secure travel clearance, says DSWD

With many Filipinos about to travel abroad to spend the summer vacation, authorities reminded parents and guardians to secure travel clearances for minors traveling abroad without them.

 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said the travel clearance aims to thwart human traffickers preying on vulnerable minors traveling alone or unaccompanied by their parents.

 

“A minor traveling abroad with either parent or with his/her solo parent or legal guardians, and those whose parents are in foreign service, living abroad, or immigrants, provided he/she is holding a valid pass such as a dependent’s visa/pass/identification card or permanent resident visa/pass/identification card does not need a travel clearance,” it said.

 

It said the travel clearance requirement is specified under the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.

 

DSWD records showed 28,729 travel clearances were issued to minors traveling abroad in 2011 nationwide.

 

The DSWD noted the period from March to May is the peak season for the application of travel clearance for minors traveling abroad as students are on summer vacation from schools.

 

“Hence, to protect children from becoming victims of human trafficking, the (DSWD) reminds parents or guardians to obtain a travel clearance for their children, 17 years old and below, who will be traveling alone or with companions other than them,” it said.

 

Parents and legal guardians may apply for a travel clearance at DSWD regional offices nationwide.

 

The DSWD issues a travel clearance to a Filipino minor going to a foreign country unaccompanied by his/her parents. 

 

It is also issued to an illegitimate child traveling abroad with his/her father.

 

The minor is not required to be present at DSWD regional offices at the time of application of clearance.

 

The DSWD said the following are the requirements for the issuance of a travel clearance to a minor: 

 

“The application for travel clearance together with the required supporting documents shall be submitted by the parent/s or legal guardian or a duly authorized representative at the nearest DSWD regional office. The application forms may also be downloaded from the DSWD website,” the DSWD said.

 

The fee for application is P300, and the travel clearance will be valid for one year for multiple travels, provided that the conditions under which the travel clearance was issued have not changed. –KG, GMA News