MMDA to use drones for traffic, emergency response management

MANILA, Philippines — Aerial cameras carried by remotely operated drones will soon serve as the “eye in the sky” of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the agency’s traffic and emergency response management in the metropolis. 

Bong Nebrija, operations officer of the MMDA, said that they received four sets of drone cameras from a private donor that will serve as their aerial monitor during national events, traffic gridlock and emergency responses. 

The agency also received a computer set and software along with the drones, he said. 

He said the brand of the drones they received was DJI with one inspire2 model and three phantom4 models.  

Nebrija said that the drones have a “mapping capability,” which means that MMDA personnel can now easily assess the real-time situation in Metro Manila. 

He added that the data collected from the drone cameras will be used for making decisions on daily operations. 

“We will use these cameras during national events that will serve as our ‘eye in the sky’ because they will serve as our cameras in areas where we don’t have closed-circuit television cameras,” he said. 

Nebrija added that the aerial cameras will also be used in their clearing operations and in their “estero blitz” programs, among other functions of the agency, to avoid second guessing of the situation.

For now, he said at least 10 employees from their Public Information Office, Security Intelligence and Investigative Office and clearing operations team will undergo a two-day training. 

The DronesPH Academy of Model Aeronautics headed by drone guru John Kakli das Jimenez will conduct the training. 

He said they will immediately use the cameras after the training, or early next week. 

Before the aerial cameras were donated, Nebrija said that the private firm, which he refused to disclose upon the request of the sponsor, had asked them what could be used in monitoring the traffic in Metro Manila.  

He said they were shocked by the response of the non-government group.