KABATAAN Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel slammed the delay in the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11768 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Compensation and Empowerment Law.

Manuel said that the failure to release the IRR for the law a year after it was passed into law is a gross negligence on the part of the National Youth Commission.

The law, principally authored by former Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, was signed into law on May 17, 2022.

“Incumbent and past Sangguniang Kabataan officials have long awaited the implementation of this law, but many have already left public service given their prolonged terms,” Manuel said.

“This is a disservice to our young constituents communities across the nation. We deserve policies to better empower the youth leaders of tomorrow to serve fellow Filipinos; proper compensation and professionalization of the SK is key to this goal,” he added.

The lawmaker also called on fellow youth leaders to speak up and call for accountability.

“One year has already been wasted without reforms. We will remain vigilant to ensure that the IRR of RA 11768 remains faithful to the spirit of the law we crafted and that it is immediately released,” Manuel said.