By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Minors Travelling Abroad (MTA) program, has issued a warning against unauthorized Facebook pages and groups offering services to expedite the processing of travel clearances.
In an advisory, the DSWD MTA clarified that Facebook pages such as Blackbox Travel and Tourism, Flightdeck Junielen Taniola, and Blackboxph Travel Corporation have no affiliation with the DSWD.
The said pages reportedly offer to streamline processes for flights, visas, tours, including travel clearances.
Some related online groups have also amassed up to 2,200 members, raising concerns over the spread of unverified and potentially misleading information.
In a statement Tuesday, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao strongly condemned the proliferation of these unauthorized platforms.
“Mariin pong kinokondena ng DSWD ang mga FB pages at mga grupong nagpapanggap na konektado sa ating programa at nangangakong pabibilisin ang proseso ng pag-avail sa ating mga serbisyo (The DSWD strongly condemn the FB pages and groups that pretend to be connected with our program and promise to facilitate the process of availing our services),” Dumlao said.
“Ang anumang impormasyon o mensaheng galing sa grupong ito ay hindi beripikado at maaaring hindi tugma sa alituntunin ng MTA (Any information or message from these groups is not verified and may not conform with MTA polices).”
She also reminded the public that engaging with ‘fixers’ is not allowed and may result in complications or invalid applications.
“Hindi po pinahihintulutan ang paggamit ng fixer sa anumang transaksyon sa DSWD. Hinihikayat po natin ang lahat na dumaan lamang po sa opisyal at tamang proseso upang masiguro ang maayos, ligtas, at lehitimong pagkuha ng travel clearance para po sa ating mga kasamang menor de edad (Fixers are not allowed in any transaction with the DSWD. We encourage the public to go through the official and proper process to ensure the orderly, safe and legitimate acquisition of travel clearance for minors),” Dumlao said.
The DSWD also underscored that the MTA has already streamlined its processes through its online application system, making it faster, more convenient and hassle-free for clients.
As of April 20, a total of 12,721 applications were approved and issued in 2026, of which 12,685 are for Travel Clearances and 36 are for Certificates of Exemption using the online system.
Applicants can now process their travel clearance digitally, provided they submit complete and correct documentary requirements, eliminating the need to go through unauthorized third parties.
To avoid delays, the MTA advises applicants to submit their travel clearance applications at least 30 days before their scheduled flight.
For accurate information and assistance, the Department urges the public to coordinate only through the official communication channels of MTA: +639451604534 (Viber), 8951-7440/8951-7438 (Landline), 09189122813 (DSWD WiServ), 09171105686/09178272543 (Mobile Hotline), and +63277090144 (Hotline), Email: grievance_cpomta@dswd.gov.ph, and MTA Call/Chat Support: https://mta.dswd.gov.ph/Home/. (PNA)
