PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The Palawan PIACAT pushes to raise awareness among locals about anti-child marriage laws, particularly among members of the Muslim community and Indigenous Peoples (IPs), to strengthen protection against child abuse.
Lawyer Mary Joy Ordaneza-Cascara, assistant legal officer of the Provincial Legal Office, said that there are still communities that are not yet aware of RA 11596 which was signed in 2021. The law prohibits child marriage as it degrades the worth and dignity of children.
Cascara is a member of the Provincial Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children and Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (PIACAT-VAWC-OSAEC-CSAEM).
“Lagpas 18 nga na nagpakasal ay nagkakaroon pa rin ng problema sa loob ng pamamahay, away at nagkakahiwalay pa rin. Ano na lang ang bata? They don’t even know what the responsibilities are ng pagiging asawa, much more ang pagiging nanay,” she said.
It is also a challenge to disseminate the information and raise awareness among a limited number of participants. Cascara believed that communities become more receptive after the abuse experienced by child brides is explained to them.
Reasons observed in engaging in child marriage are protection and poverty, she added. It has become a cycle that only worsens the problem. Since the law was enacted in 2021, no violators have yet been recorded or reported to the Provincial Legal Office, Cascara said.
“Actually, every time na nagka-conduct kami ng seminar or lecture about that, hindi talaga aware ang mga kapatid nating Muslim at IPs. Nagkakaroon sila ng reaction na bakit ganyan, hindi niyo nirirespeto ang aming mga tradisyon. Kapag napapaliwanagan naman sila, eventually sinasabi nila na kailangan pala namin sabihin ito sa aming mga kaanak, kaibigan,” she said.
Lawyer Lara Cacal, Deputy Director of the Provincial Peace and Order Program, said that their coordination with the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representation (IPMR) at barangay levels helps speed up the dissemination in the community, particularly to IP communities.
It is important to underscore that the intention of the law is to help the community and not become the enemy on the ground.
“Maganda na may napapaliwanagan tayong member nila, in return, ‘yong member nila na ‘yon, sila naman ang magri-relay sa ibang members—Mas maganda na ‘yong IP leader para may katulong tayo, hindi natin sila kalaban. Alam nila ‘yon, it has been their tradition for so many years,” she said.
Even though it remains a challenge to make the elders understand the coverage of the law, it helps that there are receptive members, particularly those who have attended school.
“Based sa consultations, sa mga nakausap ng social workers dito, particularly ang ating brothers and sisters sa Muslim community, open sila. Lalo na ‘yong mga nakapag-aral, open sila na sana may law na mag-prevent,” Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Social Welfare Officer IV Lucita Padul said. (RG/PIA Mimaropa – Palawan)
