Mom’s consent needed for minors traveling abroad – DSWD

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reminded the public that a mother’s consent is required for the issuance of travel clearance certificates or TCC for minors traveling abroad.

Katherine dela Cruz, social welfare officer of the minors traveling abroad (MTA) centralized processing office, said the DSWD follows a strict process in issuing TCCs to protect Filipino children from trafficking and exploitation.

“We require the presence of the mother, even if she has consented and signed. We need them to attend the interview for confirmation,” Dela Cruz said, noting that there were instances in the past where mothers signed their consent papers but were absent during interviews.

According to Dela Cruz, a mother’s consent is also needed for minors who will travel abroad to participate in competitions, receive study grants or attend out-of-country training.

Dela Cruz stressed that the MTA process follows the Family Code, which designates the mother as having sole parental authority over a child.

If the child’s mother is missing, Dela Cruz said the child’s father or guardian must obtain a social case study report from the local social welfare and development office of the child’s respective local government unit and a police blotter report.

DSWD regional field offices will assist people who cannot access the MTA online system or have no internet connection.