Despite ban, child unions persist in Camiguin town, raising accountability questions

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin  (April 14) — More than three years after Republic Act No. 11596 criminalized child marriage, at least nine pairs of minors in Mambajao are already living together—an alarming sign that enforcement on the ground may be falling short.

The cases surfaced during a recent local government-led awareness session intended to educate youth and families about the law. Instead, the activity exposed a deeper problem: child unions are not just a risk—they are already happening, largely undetected until after the fact.

Mayor Yñigo Jesus Romualdo framed the campaign as a call for vigilance. “Child marriage has no place in Mambajao,” he said. But the existence of multiple cohabiting minors raises a critical question: where were the safeguards before these children entered such arrangements?

Red flags missed

Under Republic Act No. 11596, local governments are mandated not only to inform communities but to actively prevent, detect, and respond to cases. This includes barangay-level monitoring, early reporting, and timely intervention by social workers and law enforcement.

Yet the identification of nine minor couples in one activity suggests potential breakdowns in:

• Early detection systems
• Barangay-level reporting mechanisms
• Routine monitoring by child protection committees

If these relationships had been ongoing, why were they not flagged earlier? And if they were known, why were interventions delayed?

Awareness without enforcement?

Local officials emphasized education as a primary strategy. Councilor Aileen Grado highlighted the importance of grassroots awareness, while Councilor Eric Aranas called on the public to report violations to authorities such as the Philippine National Police.

But child protection experts warn that relying on community reporting alone shifts responsibility away from duty-bearers. In cases involving minors, the law places the primary burden on institutions—not families or neighbors—to ensure children are protected.

“The question is not whether people know the law,” one child protection worker, who asked not to be named, said. “The question is whether systems are in place to act before harm happens.”

System gaps on the ground

The presence of national and local agencies—including the Public Attorney’s Office, social welfare offices, and police—during the activity shows that support mechanisms exist. Participants received legal orientation, counseling, and guidance on available services.

However, the situation points to a recurring gap in many communities: intervention often begins only after children are already in risky or unlawful situations.

Key concerns include:

• Lack of regular household or youth monitoring
• Limited case tracking and follow-up
• Insufficient preventive outreach for at-risk families
• Social norms that may normalize early unions

Children at risk

Child marriage and cohabitation expose minors to a range of risks, including:

• Interrupted education
• Early pregnancy and health complications
• Increased vulnerability to abuse and exploitation
• Long-term economic instability

Without timely intervention, these outcomes can become entrenched, reinforcing cycles of poverty and limited opportunity.

Accountability beyond campaigns

Mayor Romualdo said the local government will continue its awareness drive. But the emergence of existing cases suggests that campaigns alone cannot substitute for enforcement and protection systems.

For child rights advocates, the incident underscores a broader issue: laws like Republic Act No. 11596 are only as effective as their implementation.

The challenge now for local authorities in Mambajao is not just to inform communities—but to demonstrate that systems are in place to prevent, detect, and decisively act on violations before more children are placed at risk.