Region VI’s LinK4All initiative earns global spotlight

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The Ligtas na Kalsada for All (LinK4All) project, a homegrown, multisectoral initiative from Western Visayas, has gained international recognition from the United Nations.

During his mission to the Philippines, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt met with representatives from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) on September 10, 2025, at the UN Country Office in Mandaluyong City.

The DEPDev delegation included Assistant Secretary Roderick Planta of the Investment Programming Group and Engr. Ray Adrian Macalalag, senior economic development specialist of the Policy Formulation and Planning Division of DEPDev VI and LinK4All project coordinator.

In the meeting, Todt emphasized the importance of motorcycle safety, particularly the use of UN Regulation No. 22-compliant helmets and effective speed management to prevent fatal and serious injury-causing road crashes.

Planta said the Philippines aims to reduce road crash fatalities and injuries, a key performance indicator in both the original and midterm versions of the Philippine Development Plan.

Macalalag highlighted the role of youth in planning, noting ongoing efforts to train and empower young people to lead road safety advocacy.

Western Visayas has successfully involved youth and young professionals in crafting the regional road safety plan.

Through partnerships with Youth for Road Safety (YOURS) and the Iloilo Business Club, young planners accessed training through the YOURS Academy.

The project also partnered with the regional offices of the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, with technical support from the World Health Organization and the Center for Policy Studies and Advocacy on Sustainable Development.

These partnerships have reinforced the project’s technical and policy frameworks.

LinK4All aims to localize the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan at the regional level and align provincial and municipal efforts under a unified framework.

This strategy ensures contextual relevance and allows for effective, community-based interventions.

Using the structure of the Regional Development Councils and their specialized committees, DEPDev supports agencies and stakeholders with an integrated monitoring and evaluation system.

The initiative also mainstreams gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) and actively involves public and private sector stakeholders.

These efforts reflect LinK4All’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

The Western Visayas Road Safety Action Plan 2026–2028, the first subnational plan outside Metro Manila, is scheduled for release in the last quarter of 2025.

A Manual for Subnational Road Safety Action Planning will also be launched by year-end to support replication of the initiative in other regions.