The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), through the Quick Response Team for Children’s Concerns (QRTCC), has once again reminded the public to secure travel permits for minors.
QRTCC Head Jinky Roncal, in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday, said that minors (18 years old and below) departing from Davao through domestic flights are required to have a travel permit.
She explained that under City Ordinance No. 01-11-25, Series of 2025, also known as the Children’s Welfare Code Protecting the Welfare of Children, the issuance of travel permits has different sets of requirements: one for unaccompanied minors (those not traveling with a parent or guardian) and another for minors accompanied by an adult who is not their parent.
For unaccompanied minors, the requirements are birth certificate of the minor/s, valid school ID of the minor/s, parent’s consent letter, barangay certificate, valid ID of the parents with three signatures, and a valid ID with three signatures of the person who will pick up the minor/s.
For accompanied minors, the requirements are the same as for unaccompanied minors, except that a valid ID with three signatures of the accompanying person is required instead of the person who will pick up the minor.
“Taod-taod na pud ni siya, kay in relation sa anti-trafficking in person law, preventive mechanism ni siya para maiwasan nga naay mabiktima, lalo na for minors in Davao City (This has already been implemented for quite some time. It is in relation to the anti-trafficking in persons law and serves as a preventive mechanism to prevent minors in Davao City from being victimized),” she said, noting that the travel permit requirement has been in place since 2019 through City Ordinance 049-19. However, it was amended last year to reflect changes in the requirements.
Roncal added that before issuing a travel permit, they gather basic information and assess possible red flags, particularly concerning the accompanying adult or the purpose of travel.
“Naa man gud uban wala kabalo asa padulong (There are some who do not know their destination),” she said.
She also said that Davao City residents are encouraged to secure travel permits for minors who are not accompanied by their parents from any of the 15 CSWDO district offices.
For groups of minors coming from schools or different barangays, they are encouraged to secure travel permits from the QRTCC office located on Claveria Street, beside the San Pedro Police Station, fronting Osmeña Park.
The CSWDO also set up a help desk at the airport that operates 24/7 and is capable of issuing travel permits upon compliance with the requirements.
The permit can be issued in less than an hour for both Davao and non-Davao residents. Non-Davao residents may present a travel permit issued by their respective local social welfare offices.
For further inquiries, the public may call the 24/7 QRTCC hotline 09504920586.
“Ug naa moy plano menor de edad na kapamilya, para maiwasan ang kakulian, gina-encourage namo nga mukuha og mu-secure og permit to travel sa mga district offices sa CSWDO. And then kung group ang travel, pwede lang sa QRTCC, kung didto lang sa airport kung short na gyud kaayo sa oras, para mas han-ay ug hapsay, dire-diretso na po ang travel para ma-enjoy nato unsa ang atong purpose sa atong pag-travel (If you have a minor (underage) family member who plans to travel, to avoid any issues, we encourage you to obtain and secure a travel permit from the district offices of the CSWDO. If traveling as a group, you can also process it at the QRTCC, or at the airport if you are already short on time. This way, your travel will be smoother and more organized, allowing you to fully enjoy the purpose of your trip),” Roncal said. CIO
Written by: K.Cañedo
Edited by: A.Nawal