DILG to hire 571 contact tracers in Cordillera

September 20, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) – More than 500 contact tracers are set to be hired as additional support to the fight against the COVID-19 in the Cordillera region. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced on Monday (Sept. 14) the start the recruitment, hiring, and training of at least 50,000 contact tracers nationwide to significantly ramp-up the country’s contact tracing program.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said that the additional 50,000 contact tracers are “the game-changer in the country’s COVID-response since this will allow us to cut the transmission of the disease and ultimately defeat COVID-19.”
“With the additional 50,000 contact tracers, we will now be able to meet the “Tagalong formula” of tracing 37 close contacts of 1 COVID patient up to the 3rd degree,” he said.
In the Cordillera region, DILG-CAR Regional Director Marlo Iringan said that 571 additional contact tracers will strengthen the capacities of local government units and form part of the existing Contact Tracing Team of LGUs.
The new contact tracers would augment the more than 3,700 contact tracers in the Cordillera region. The contact tracing teams at present are composite units led by the Municipal or City Health Officers with members from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTS), and volunteers from civil society organizations.
They shall conduct case interviews, profiling and do an initial public health risk assessment of COVID-19 cases and their identified close contacts. They shall also help in the advocacy campaign to remind people to faithfully follow or comply with the minimum health protocols which are wearing of facemasks, face shields, the practice of social distancing, washing and disinfecting of hands.
Iringan said the DILG will prioritize graduates of medical-related courses, criminology, and similar courses in getting contact tracers. Contractual personnel whose employment were not renewed, Overseas Filipino Workers whose employment were disrupted, and local employees whose service have been recently terminated may be given priority in the hiring process, if qualified.
Aspirants must also be skilled in data gathering and have assisted in research and documentation; able to interview COVID-19 cases and close contacts in order to gather data; possess the ability to advocate public health education messages, and have the investigative capability.
He explained that the contact tracers shall be required to undergo training to prepare them for the tasks ahead.
Under the guidelines drafted by the DILG, the contact tracers will earn a minimum of P18,784 per month in a contract of service status. They will render services until December 31, 2020.
Jordan G. Habbiling/ABN