Research for building drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is now in the line of fire of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
But the DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) has made it clear that research and development (R&D) for UAVs does not include making of war materials.
PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Carlos Primo David confirmed last Friday that the program of possible drone building opened up after Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin approached the PCIEERD for a possible partnership.
“Anything that will keep our troops safe,” said David as an assurance of the PCIEERD’s readiness in conducting R&D on drones for various applications, including potentially for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
However, David emphasized that the discussion is still in progress and that the PCIEERD has a limitation on its R&D, with reservation on the making of firearms and explosives.
He said that his view is that the military has many community activities for which a drone would come in handy.
He said a UAV Consortium is presently being formed, as he invited the academe, the private sector, and other interested parties to join.
The PCIEERD head also called on other government agencies to partner with the DOST so that every research could be tailored according to their needs.
David said sometime in April, DOST-PCIEERD will sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the DND for the UAV program under planning, a two-year tie-up that is open to renewal as the need demands.
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