NEDA-6 specialist joins global road safety board

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Engr. Ray Adrian Macalalag, a senior economic development specialist at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office VI, has earned a prestigious position on the Youth Leadership Board of the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety.

Macalalag, currently pursuing a Master of Transport at the University of Sydney under the Australia Awards Scholarship, is the sole representative from the Philippines on this international board.

The Youth Leadership Board, described as the “engines behind the coalition,” is composed of ten young leaders from various countries, including Belgium, India, Indonesia, Peru, South Africa, Tajikistan, Uganda, and the United States.

These leaders are tasked with contributing their expertise and insights to support the coalition’s local and global road safety advocacy strategies.

“I believe that road safety is interlinked with several factors, not just the quality or safety of infrastructure. It also lies with the policies we put in place and how we implement them,” said Macalalag, who previously worked at the Department of Public Works and Highways before joining NEDA.

Macalalag’s selection comes as the Philippines continues its efforts to reduce road crash fatalities by half, a goal highlighted in the Philippine Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals.

He emphasizes the significant impact of road crashes on the youth, noting, “We also need to think about how we can save lives as road crashes is the top cause of death of young people. Their dreams and aspirations also die with them; and definitely, young people are the continuous supply of hope for our country.”

Over the next two years, Macalalag will collaborate with other board members to identify and address the needs of the youth, support the coalition’s strategic planning, organize global and local activities, and expand the coalition’s reach. His role is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the board, focusing on comprehensive road safety measures that go beyond infrastructure improvements.

In addition to his new role, Macalalag manages the Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) and handles transport and infrastructure sector policy and planning concerns at NEDA. Upon completing his studies in Australia, he plans to implement a re-entry action plan related to road safety in the Philippines.

He also contributes opinion articles to Daily Guardian on the topic of road safety and sustainable engineering.