Help Desks for Minors Travel Clearance Now Available
To improve support for Filipino minors traveling abroad, help desks for minors travel clearance have been set up at major international airports across the Philippines. These 24/7 desks aim to assist young travelers and their families with urgent travel clearance concerns, officials reported.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Ada Colico shared that the first help desk for minors travel clearance was launched at Davao International Airport on July 29. Soon after, similar desks opened at Mactan-Cebu International Airport on July 31 and Clark International Airport on August 5, sources said.
Purpose and Importance of Travel Clearance for Minors
The help desks provide in-person assistance for minors who face boarding issues due to incomplete or problematic documentation. “The MTA help desk is designed to provide in-person assistance for urgent concerns regarding travel clearance for minors who have been offloaded or prevented from boarding their flights due to documentary problems,” Colico explained in a statement.
Travel clearance is a critical requirement for individuals under 18 years old traveling abroad without their parents or legal guardians. Local leaders noted that this helps safeguard children from trafficking and complies with laws such as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.
Guidance for Parents and Guardians
Colico emphasized the importance of securing travel clearance well in advance. “We continue to remind parents or guardians to properly secure travel clearance for children traveling outside the country ahead of time. This document is vital to ensure the safety of Filipino kids who are visiting relatives abroad, or studying, or attending competitions overseas,” she stressed.
Community members are encouraged to process their minors travel clearance through online platforms or mobile applications provided by government agencies, making the process more accessible and efficient.
For more news and updates on minors travel clearance, visit Filipinokami.com.
