Filipino minors aged 17 and under who are traveling abroad unaccompanied must obtain a travel clearance, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said on Thursday.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said this is to prevent abuse and the exploitation of Filipino children who are leaving to study abroad, attend competitions, or visit relatives.

"With the approaching holiday season, the DSWD urges parents and legal guardians to secure a travel clearance for their children who will be going abroad unaccompanied by adults or without their parents. This will ensure the best interest of the children since they will be safeguarded from any act that may constitute child trafficking," said Lopez, who is also DSWD spokesperson.

The issuance of a travel clearance for minors is specified under the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.

The DSWD Travel Clearance is a document issued by DSWD Field Offices or its attached agency, the National Authority on Child Care, whichever applies to a minor traveling abroad unaccompanied by any persons with parental authority and legal custody of the child.

The DSWD is mandated to provide special protection to children from all forms of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and/or sale or any practice prejudicial to their development.

A child shall be allowed to travel alone or accompanied by their parent or legal guardian to a foreign country with a travel clearance issued by the DSWD.

The Department's Omnibus Guidelines on Minors Traveling Abroad also states that only minors aged 13 years and over can travel alone as long as they are granted a travel clearance.

A travel clearance certificate may be obtained within three working days upon submission of complete documents, including a processing fee of P300 valid for one year, or P600 for certificates valid for two years.

The clearance can be processed on-site in any DSWD Field Office within the jurisdiction of the minor's place of residence. The complete list of requirements may be accessed through www.dswd.gov.ph/travel-clearance-for-minors/.

The DSWD Field Office-National Capital Region has opened a satellite office at SM City Manila where travel clearances for minors traveling abroad may be obtained.