Minors traveling abroad alone need clearance

TRAVEL clearance for Filipino children ages 17 and below traveling abroad alone is necessary to stop child trafficking, abuse and exploitation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) firmly said on Friday.

«To those wishing to travel and get travel clearance, go to the DSWD Field Offices where the child resides,» said Irish Opeña, DSWD's Program Management Bureau (PMB) officer-in-charge division chief for sectoral programs.

Those seeking a travel clearance for children traveling overseas must meet the following requirements: a duly completed application form and a birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

If the birth registration is delayed, include the minor's baptismal certificate, vaccination record, school records, or Form 137.

If the child is a legitimate child, the parents' PSA-issued Marriage Certificate (original and photocopy) is required; if the parents are unmarried, the mother's PSA-issued Certificate of No Marriage (Cenomar) issued by the PSA (original and photocopy) is required; and if the marriage is fake, the Certificate of No Marriage from the Local Civil Registry is also required.

In the case of a deceased parent, a PSA death certificate (original and photocopy) should be submitted.

Opeña said that social workers may request additional documentation throughout the travel clearance process to ensure the child's welfare and best interests.

The agency also intends to launch a digital travel clearance application for children traveling abroad this year to make it easier to provide services for them.