On December 10, 2021, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act No. 11596, also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”
Gallo, however, said the copy of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of said law which has been signed already by the Department of Social Worker and Development (DSWD) and various agencies in December 2022 has yet to be published.
Under the law, those who cause and fix or arrange a child marriage, those who perform or officiate a child marriage, and an adult partner who cohabits with a child out of wedlock are to be penalized.
The law says any person who arranges the marriage of a minor can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and subject to paying a fine of not less than ₱40,000.
If the violator is found to be a parent or guardian, the penalty increases to up to 12 years of imprisonment and they will be subject to pay a fine of not less than P50,000.
The same penalty applies to anybody who officiates a child marriage.
An adult partner who cohabits with a child outside wedlock will have the same penalty as a parent or guardian violator, and if he or she is a public officer, he or she will be dismissed from service and may be perpetually disqualified from holding office at the discretion of the courts.
Child marriage, according to the law refers to a marriage entered into - where one or both parties are children and are solemnized in any recognized traditional, cultural, or customary manner. It shall include an informal union or cohabitation of wedlock between an adult or child or between children.
Gallo said that what this law protects is the emotional and health wellness of children who are introduced prematurely to married life.
"Kung ipakasal ang bata, dili pa siya ready emotionally, ang iyahang lawas dili pa gyud siya ready. Duna ni'y effect sa panlawas sa babae,” Gallo said in a report from the City Information Office.
She said her office will help orient the cultural groups that practice child marriage so they could understand the law.
"Kini dapat tutukan sa CSWDO pagpasabot sa ground. There is a health aspect and taas pani nga proseso because it involves culture and pag muingon ka og kultura lisod gyud na siya usabon," she said.
The city through CSWDO has already been conducting a symposium for concerned indigenous groups to popularize the said law.