Jeff Harvie’s Thought Of The Day

Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Philippines! aka the DSWD!

Who are they, and do you need to be aware of them?

Obviously Philippines only! Don’t email me and ask if this applies to your Vietnamese or Cambodian lady, because obviously not. This is a Philippines Government Department, which does lots of things that I know nothing about BUT they have the job as the watchdog over child welfare! Yes, far from perfect. But certainly better than nothing.

What does DSWD have to do with Australian Visas from the Philippines?

A biological parent in the Philippines who has custodial rights may take their children anywhere! Anyone else? They need a DSWD Travel Clearance!

So that means:

• Anyone other than the biological parent or legal guardian needs a DSWD Travel Clearance
• Fathers of “illegitimate” children need a DSWD Travel Clearance
• Other relatives, including Australian step-parents need a DSWD Travel Clearance
• A child who lives outside the Philippines but is not yet a permanent resident of that country? DSWD Travel Clearance!
• And strongly advise that if you’re not 100% sure, you just ask them. Otherwise you will get stuck at the airport!

Why does DSWD enforce these rules in the first place?

To protect children from being trafficked or kidnapped or otherwise stolen from their parents and potentially lost in another country away from their families!

So if you find getting a clearance to be a nuisance, try to understand the reason that it’s there in the first place. If YOU were at risk of losing your child YOU would be glad to know that your Government had your back in this way! Just be aware that it’s now online, and NOT easy to organise. Allow yourselves plenty of time.

 

Jeff Harvie is a Registered Migration Agent from Australia, but resident in Philippines since 2010 with his Filipina wife Mila and large extended family. Experienced with the Philippines culture, cross-cultural relationships and bureaucracy as well as Australian visas and Australian Migration Law, he writes with authority and fortunately with enough informality and humour that the average Aussie gets it!