In more than ten years in government, I have seen how plans are made, and policies are passed. I have also seen how important public participation is in making those policies real. But during the recent Ligtas na Kalsada for All (LinK4All) Summit Workshops, I was reminded of a truth that is too often overlooked. Young people should not only be encouraged to take part, but they should also be equipped to understand their roles and what is expected of them.

This is what made the LinK4All Project different. More than an acronym, LinK4All truly linked all: government, private sector, communities, and especially young people. The process prepared them to be effective contributors. We did not just ask them to share their ideas. We gave them the context, evidence, and training to understand the road safety challenges we face.

The summit was a vital step in a larger journey. Our goal is to create the first Western Visayas Road Safety Action Plan and a Subnational Road Safety Action Planning Manual. We have not yet drafted the plan, but we have laid a strong foundation for it. The process unfolded in two stages. First was an online series from July 15 to 17. This was followed by an in-person workshop last week at the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office VI. DEPDev worked with partners from the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), Youth for Road Safety (YOURS), and the World Health Organization.

Young people were given prior road safety training through the YOURS Academy beginning last June. It is a definitive online e-learning road safety school where they learned about the global road safety crisis facing youth at their own pace. This training was made possible by our private sector partner, IBC.

The range of participants reflected the diversity needed for effective road safety action planning. National and local government made up the largest groups, but youth participants were the third largest sector present. Gender balance was also achieved with almost equal numbers of male and female attendees. Most importantly, these young participants did not just sit and listen. They led conversations, voiced their needs, and offered solutions grounded in the knowledge they had gained during the workshops.

Too often, consultations follow the same script. People come, air concerns, and leave without fully understanding the bigger picture. Road safety demands more. It is not just about traffic signs or enforcement. It is about infrastructure, human behavior, public health, and governance. Without a clear understanding of these dimensions, even the most passionate calls for change can miss the root causes.

LinK4All broke that pattern. By equipping participants, especially the youth, LinK4All ensured that voices were not just loud but clear, informed, and purposeful. This led to three important outcomes. First, there was greater participation by young people who felt their presence was valued. Second, young people took the lead in conversations, showing that when prepared, they can guide discussions and influence decisions. Third, they became confident in voicing their needs in ways that policymakers could act upon.

The work ahead is still significant. The plan has yet to be written. But if the energy and clarity we saw in these workshops carry forward, the plan will not just be another document. It will be a product of collective understanding, shaped by those who will inherit the roads we are trying to make safer.

Road safety is a shared responsibility. Government can open the doors, but communities, especially the young, must be ready to step through them with the skills and confidence to help steer the way. LinK4All has shown that linking all is not just about putting people in the same room. It is about preparing them to create a safer future for all.