Law Summary
Statement of Policy and Objectives
- The policy safeguards children from various forms of harm during travel abroad.
- Objectives include preventing abuse and trafficking, ensuring authorized companions, and protecting minors' welfare overseas.
Scope and Application of Travel Clearance
- Travel Clearance is required for unaccompanied minors traveling abroad or minors accompanied by persons other than parents or custodians.
- Also applies to minors adopted in the Philippines or traveling abroad for intercountry adoption.
- Illegitimate children traveling with their father and minors traveling in groups for events also require individual clearances.
Parental Travel Permit
- A notarized permission needed from the parent left behind when a minor travels with the other parent.
- The permit is filed with the DSWD and remains valid for six months for one travel instance.
- Parents with custody issues can seek court orders to prevent a child’s foreign travel.
Role and Functions of DSWD Field Offices
- Field Offices in regions with international ports maintain desks at airports to assist unaccompanied minors.
- Functions include providing counseling, disseminating travel requirements, and coordinating with other agencies.
- Implementation includes security measures (e.g., barcoding) to authenticate travel documents.
Coordination with Other Government Agencies
- The DSWD closely coordinates with the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs for effective enforcement.
- Ensures adherence to RA 7610 and related child protection measures.
Validity and Issuance of Travel Documents
- Travel Clearances and Parental Travel Permits are valid for six months and are single-use for single trips.
- Issuance authority is decentralized to DSWD Field Directors or their representatives.
Application and Assessment Procedures for Travel Clearance
- Applications may be filed by the minor (if at least 13 years old), parents/legal guardians, companions, or authorized representatives.
- Requires submission of supporting documents for social worker review.
- Social worker conducts interviews, home visits, and validation of travel purpose, companions, destination, and length of stay.
- Favorable assessments lead to clearance issuance; unfavorable assessments are reported to the Bureau of Immigration.
Application and Verification Procedures for Parental Travel Permit
- Requires filing at least seven working days before departure.
- Social workers validate the circumstances; unfavorable findings prompt notification to Bureau of Immigration.
- DSWD stamps the permit to record receipt and aids minors’ parental travel compliance at airports.
Monitoring, Data Banking, and System Management
- DSWD Field Offices maintain systematized data banks for tracking and reporting on traveling minors.
- The Programs and Projects Bureau handles centralized security coding and document distribution.
- Establishes networked information systems linking Field Offices, the central bureau, and immigration/foreign affairs agencies.
- Conducts regular monitoring and technical assistance to ensure efficient issuance and compliance.
Repeal and Implementation
- This Department Order supersedes previous inconsistent memoranda and orders.
- Immediate effect from January 12, 2001, as signed by the Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge, DSWD.