By Gio J. Tanudtanud
THE AGRIDOM Academy will promote training programs and licensing for pilot drones and drone hobbyists in agriculture drone operations.
During the PEP Talks at SM Lanang, Reynaldo Montilla Jr., Academy Manager of Agridom Academy, said they are promoting training programs for drones in agriculture as well as to share the awareness of the importance of licenses in operating drones.
The AgriDOM Academy, powered by Genius Technologies Inc., facilitates drone pilots who bear no licenses and gives them certificates when they undergo training. They began carrying out drone training in 2021 with the partnership of TESDA and the implementation of the Tulong program mainly focusing on agriculture.
“Kasi yung current operation ng agricultural drones is nasa banana farms. So yun kailangan namin kasi ngayon maraming expansions kasi nangyayari, tapos maraming buyers ng drones na walang pilot. So maraming talaga maka benefit especially duon sa mga walang trabaho ngayon,” he said.
He also added that drones can also serve in search and rescue, engineering, and other uses as drones are more efficient and innovative in agriculture and non-agriculture industries.They are also planning to collaborate with search and rescue organizations on how they can provide the drone technology for efficiency.
According to Montilla Jr., the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) noticed that there are drone pilots operating with no license. For pilots who want to purchase drones they need to undergo training in order to bear a license, the same as with LTO when it comes to student permit or driver’s license.
“We are encouraging everybody that before you buy dapat meron ka na at least may idea for the regulation kasi marami na tayo dito sa Davao na no flight zone,” he said
He added that hobbyists may not require a license as long the drones are for personal use. For vloggers who earn money are required to have one.
Availing of the training program and acquiring the license can be availed via the Genius Technologies Inc. Facebook page. Further informations are also available at the Facebook page.
