More Regional and District Engineering Offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are now utilizing latest drone technology to boost data gathering and planning capabilities.
Earlier this year, DPWH Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH – SLDEO) acquired a drone equipment that now improves the accuracy of data gathering, especially on investigation of inaccessible sites and infrastructure inspections used in project planning.
“The newly-procured Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (AUV) or drone is capable of taking aerial photos and videos that can be converted into 3D presentation shots and can provide accurate terrain elevation within its 2-kilometer radius reach,” said DPWH - SLDEO District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia.
According to Junia, utilizing the equipment requires less people in conducting surveys and aids in conducting engineering activities needed for future projects.
Trainings on how to use the equipment were conducted for project engineers who tested the newly-procured drones in surveying the landslide that damaged a portion of the national highways in Sogod, Southern Leyte.
Southern Leyte is a province characterized by a mountainous interior, hence the use of drone technology provides more effective results in fast tracking data compared to manual operations.