The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is considering using drones to monitor traffic, floods, and emergency operations in the metropolis. Tim Orbos, MMDA general manager, said he is open to the idea of hiring a company that operates camera-equipped drones to complement the agency’s closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the ground. “For us to cover the whole of Metro Manila, it’s either you have more than a thousand CCTVs and helicopters that cost so much. We will not be buying drones but what I’m thinking is to hire the services of a private company,” said Orbos. To fly a drone, one must be a certified pilot, he said. Orbos said investing in drones can be the “fastest way, cheapest way,” in monitoring the metropolis, citing the extensive use of drones in the United States for traffic management. While encouraging the private sector to offer proposals, Orbos said he is [...]
