Pasig deploys drones in war vs. COVID-19

To curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Pasig has set its sights to technology and bought drones to disinfect the city.

According to Mariz Umali’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” Pasig was supposed to use the drones to help its farmers with crop pest management.

But with the unprecedented situation, the Pasig City government instead used the drones to disinfect the whole city.

Each drone can load up to 10 liters of disinfectant and spray a wide range of 500 up to 1000 square meters. It can fly continuously for 30 minutes.

“‘Pag airborne na, mas effective ang drone. ‘Di kasi natin nakikita ang molecules tapos ito, wider range, faster. Imagine, backpack sprayer compared doon sa lawak ng area na makocover nito,” Pasig City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Bryant Wong said.

Wong added that the models of the drones Pasig is using were the same ones China and South Korea used to fight COVID-19. It will be operated by a professional who will also wear personal protective equipment.

He added their target is to disinfect the whole city but they will prioritize areas where COVID-19 cases are prevalent.

These drones are different from the disinfectant back sprayers Pasig distributed earlier to barangays, schools and non-government agencies.

Meanwhile, amid the suspension of public transport Pasig also distributed more than a hundred bicycles, which will be used at checkpoints and its medical frontliners.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in the country reached 217 with 17 deaths on Thursday.

President Rodrigo Duterte has already placed the entire Philippines under state of calamity, allowing the government to tap more funds to contain the spread of the virus. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News