Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Ray Adrian Macalalag

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.

I’ve been connected with the Philippine government for six years now. Last July 2020, I was appointed as Senior Economic Development Specialist at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

NEDA is basically the independent socioeconomic planning body of the Philippine government. My assignment right now primarily deals with policy formulation and planning, particularly on the infrastructure, transport, and environment sectors. I am a civil engineer by profession. I am also leading the secretariat for the Regional Land Use Committee which deals with the land use and physical planning of my region.

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field? 

I recall being trained in road safety engineering in 2016 while I was still working in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). I worked there as a highway safety and planning engineer until 2020. I used to evaluate and design road safety features for road and bridge projects and supervised consultants working on feasibility studies of new road projects. Because of this, I see the engineering side of policies and plans involving infrastructure, transport and environment.

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area? 

I live in Iloilo City and it is dubbed as the Bike Capital of the Philippines. Ironically, I do not ride bikes (aside from not being skilled enough to use them) because only a few bike facilities are protected. Most are still classified as shared-use bike lanes which means bikes and cars share the roadway without any physical barrier to protect cyclists. Nevertheless, our situation is far better than most parts of the country. You can check out Iloilo City, it is a beautiful and promising city with a lot of potentials.

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?

With similar reasons as to why I chose to work in the government, I see that young people work not necessarily for the benefit of themselves but for others. We work for the next generation so that they have a better future. We, as young people, are somehow privileged to be here at this age and time where we see how the world is developing and transitioning into something that we never could have imagined when we were still kids. As we gain enough awareness and consciousness of what happens in the world, we realize that we have the ability and power to make significant changes in our community and, collectively, in our planet. Thus, it is up to us young people. We start small now and as we take on the leadership posts in the nearer future, we will know what should be done, what can be done, and ultimately, how it should be done.

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety? 

I joined the Coalition because I see it as something within my comfort zone of having like-minded people gathered into one group. Although I identify it as a comfort zone, it also serves as a bootcamp or a training ground for me that helps me go outside my comfort zone. This will help mold me to become one of the future leaders of society who will be geared toward safer and sustainable road and mobility sectors.

6. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities? 

As a young professional, the Coalition is one of its kind. It provides a strong connection between young people from very different countries who are connected through a common goal. The activities are engaging and these capacitate us to use better peer-to-peer methods as compared with traditional ones. Opportunities are also a click away and are presented in a way that equips us to further develop ourselves as future leaders.

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition? 

Be aware of what the situation really is on our roads and see where you can contribute through your local actions. If you don't know where to start, joining the Coalition is a good first step.