DFA Signs Partnership with DSWD, Other Government Agencies on Digitized Minors Traveling Abroad Program
Representatives from government agencies attend the official launch of HELPS-MTA and ceremonial signing of its MOU and DSA. From left: BI Commissioner Joel Viado, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene B. Dumlao, NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada, DSWD Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian, DFA Deputy Undersecretary Christina Gracia Rola-Mckernan, PCTC Assistant Focal Person on Trafficking-in-Persons Desk Raquel L. Sumerwe, and PSA Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista. (Photo courtesy of the DSWD)
MANILA 10 March 2025 – The Department of Foreign Affairs together with other government agencies participated in the official launch of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System - Minors Traveling Abroad System (HELPS-MTA) during DSWD’s 74th Anniversary Celebration held on 18 February 2025, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The event was graced by the presence of His Excellency President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., and attended by the DFA’s representative OUCSCA Deputy Undersecretary Christina G. Rola-McKernan.
The DSWD MTA Online Program was formalized through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) among different government agencies. The implementation of this program will operationalize and strengthen the integration of systems, improve data sharing accuracy and efficiency, and enable the convenient online verification of documents between the MTA records and the different agencies’ existing databases.
The DFA and the DSWD formalized its partnership through the signing of the MOU and DSA regarding the establishment of the MTA Online Program held on 19 February 2025, at the DFA, DoubleDragon Tower in Pasay City. The two (2) Agreements were signed by the DFAs’ representatives, OUCSCA Undersecretary Jesus. S. Domingo, as DFA’s authorized signatory for the MOU and DSA and OAMSS Assistant Secretary Patrick U. Hilado, as DFA’s designated Data Protection Officer (DPO) for the DSA.
The partnership between all member agencies will ensure prompt interagency coordination, reinforce existing government mechanisms to protect children traveling to foreign countries, and further advance the effective implementation of Republic Act 11983 or the New Passport Law and other relevant laws on the protection of children. END
The DFA and the DSWD representatives attend the signing of the MOU and DSA. From left: DSWD Social Welfare Officer II Deciry V. Nieva, DFA Principal Assistant Raymond Aljon A. Cusipag, DFA Assistant Secretary Patrick U. Hilado, DFA Undersecretary Jesus S. Domingo, DSWD Project Development Officer II Noel Angelo Data
