QuestionsQuestions (DSWD ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 114)
It is pursuant to Article 3 of Presidential Decree No. 603 (Child and Youth Welfare Code), which states that every child has the right to the care, assistance, and protection of the State.
To provide protection to minors against exploitation, improper influence, abuse, hazards, and other conditions prejudicial to the child’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and moral development.
A person below 18 years of age unless emancipated by law.
Protection is the act of safeguarding the welfare of the child by intervening to prevent or stop further exploitation, improper influence, hazards, and other conditions prejudicial to his welfare.
The use of a minor with or without the minor’s consent for one’s own advantage or profit.
Carrying on trade or exchange of a child for monetary or any form of consideration.
All minors unaccompanied by biological parents or legal guardians, or the person with whom the minor is traveling jointly with the parents/legal guardians when traveling outside the Philippines, are required to apply for a Certificate to Travel through their parents/legal guardians or the person with whom the minor is traveling.
At the DSWD Municipal or City District Office having jurisdiction over the residence of the applicant.
To prevent child trafficking and to ensure the traveling companion can care for the minor and will be responsible for the minor’s welfare.
Initial interview; assessment/evaluation; submission of requirements within a week from application; recommendation with enclosed requirements to be forwarded to the Secretary for decision.
The applicant must accomplish form PS-CT 001.
Such as: purpose of travel; reason for bringing the minor abroad; reasons why parents cannot accompany the minor; relationship between minor and traveling companion; degree of relationship already fostered; why traveling companion was chosen; complete destination addresses and telephone numbers; length of stay per destination and expected return date (when appropriate); relationship between minor and traveling companion/sponsoring person (when appropriate); and how close that relationship is (when appropriate).
If the SSWO finds a presumptive basis for travel to be pursued, she makes an appointment, conducts home-visits and two collateral interviews to validate information, and an interview with the minor shall be made when appropriate.
She must immediately discuss the reasons with the applicant and forward her report to the Provincial Social Welfare Officer, copy furnishing the Secretary.
Within a maximum of two weeks, with the accomplished checklist for reference of the applicant.
Examples include: (1) Birth Certificate of the minor (Certified Copy); (2) Affidavit of consent to travel by both parents or legal guardian; (3) Affidavit of support of sponsoring party indicating employment and salary certified by employer; (4) Current income tax returns of sponsoring person and parents; (5) Power of attorney from parents/legal guardian for traveling companion to take care of the child.
Only the Secretary, and in her absence, her duly authorized representative.