ILOILO City – The City Engineering Office (CEO) has defended the procurement of a state-of-the-art drone worth P800,000.
According to Engineer Haydee Villanueva, the purchase also included a real-time kinematic receiver, global positioning system, a computer, printer, and monitor, among others.
Also included in the package was the training for CEO’s technical people who would use the equipment, added Villanueva.
Funds for the drone came from the city’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
Villanueva said the CEO requested for the drone during the administration of then mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog but none showed interest to bid.
The drone would be used to conduct mapping, she explained.
“Many agencies, both local and national, have been requesting us for mapping. Wala kami because kulang kami sang logistcs,” Villanueva explained.
The drone would be used to get real-time data on elevations, coordinates and distances, among others, she said.
As a highly urbanized city, Iloilo needs this kind of logistics, Villanueva stressed.
Data collected could be used by the CEO in designing drainage systems and road networks, she said.
Aside from mapping, Villanueva the equipment can also be used for post-disaster assessments.
Mayor-elect Jerry Treñas said he would form an investigation committee to, among others, determine if the drone and other equipment and vehicles purchased by the current Espinosa administration were overpriced./PN
Wala ka pa kapungko panghingabot ns nsisip mo.