W. Visayas Takes Unique ‘Glocal’ Route to Road Safety Action Planning

Western Visayas has taken a pioneering step in global road safety by launching the Ligtas na Kalsada for All (LinK4All) x Youth for Road Safety (YOURS) Academy training—making the Philippines the first country to integrate the internationally recognized online platform into its road safety action planning process.

The Iloilo Business Club Inc., in coordination with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office VI, spearheaded the initiative to equip future formulators of the Western Visayas Road Safety Action Plan with evidence-based principles and interventions in road safety.

The IBC is sponsoring the online training of 50 participants aged 18 to 35 from various sectors, including academia, government, private industry, professional groups, and youth organizations, emphasizing a shared responsibility in tackling road safety challenges.

“Let us remember that road safety is not the sole responsibility of traffic officers or government institutions—it is something we all share,” said IBC President Emil Diez, highlighting the collaborative nature of the effort.

DEPDev VI Regional Director Engr. Arecio Casing Jr., CESO III, welcomed the private sector-led initiative, stressing the importance of collaboration and the strategic role of the Regional Development Council in coordinating road safety actions among government and private sector stakeholders.

“We recognize the RDC’s strategic position in championing evidence-based, interdisciplinary, and participatory road safety efforts,” Casing said, also underscoring the youth-centric focus of the program.

He noted that young professionals from within the government, particularly members of planning committees, are also part of the training to build a community of road safety champions in public service.

“Our goal is to build allies within government—future leaders who are not only aware, but also committed to creating safer roads for all,” he added.

YOURS Capacity Development Director Manpreet Darroch praised Western Visayas and the Philippines for prioritizing capacity development before road safety action planning.

“When we’re coming up with our action plans in the Philippines, we actually work in a space of evidence-based knowledge that allows us to implement solutions based on the safe system approach,” Darroch said.

He commended the region’s effort to understand foundational road safety principles before launching the action planning phase.

The training will cover the global road safety problem, the safe systems approach, and the link between road safety and the Sustainable Development Goals.

It will serve as preparation for the upcoming formulation and consultation phases of the Western Visayas Road Safety Action Plan.