Aerial camera system for Philippines Disaster Council

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) XI was the recipient of the approximately 170,000 USD worth of Aerial Camera System from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management- Department of Agriculture.

The Carl Zeiss Aerial Camera System which was acquired by BSWM-DA in 1990 and is now estimated to be worth more than 290,000 USD was turned over to RDCC XI in a simple ceremony held at the Office of Civil Defense in Camp Catitipan last December 6.

Edgar Santos, Chief, General Services Division of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) who represented director Silvino Q. Tejada of the said office, said the equipment could be used by RDCC XI in mapping the topography of the region to determine areas which are prone to natural disasters.

Santos also said that technicians from their central office are just too willing to train personnel who will be recommended by the RDCC to operate the equipment which is designed to be mounted on an aircraft for aerial photography.

A memorandum of agreement between RDCC XI and the BSWM-DA is being prepared to formalize the agreement.

Police Chief Supt. Conrado Laza, deputy regional director for administration, Rebecca Lopez, deputy director of Office of Civil Defense, and Police Sr. Supt Mario Premacio, chief, Police Community Relations received the equipment in behalf of RDCC chair PNP Chief Supt. Andres Caro III, who was attending another important function.

In his speech during the ceremony, Santos attributed the turn-over to Joseph Buduan pf the Department of Agriculture Region XI who prodded the BSWM to give the equipment to RDCC XI since the Aerial Camera System could still be used by BSWM when needed.

The Aerial Camera System is only two of its kind in the country, the other, is owned by Certeza Surveying Company, a surveying companies in the country.

Source : http://www.pia.gov.ph