Wanted: 50,000 contact tracers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) hopes to start its mass hiring of 50,000 contact tracers by next month.

DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the mass hiring of contact tracers could begin in September once the budget is released.

Congress recently approved a P5-billion budget for contact tracing efforts of the government to be headed by the DILG under the Bayanihan 2 measure.

The Bayanihan to Recover as One Act has yet to be enacted into law by President Duterte. It was recently approved by the bicameral conference committee.

There are currently 85,000 contact tracers in the country.

The government is targeting a total of 135,000 contact tracers nationwide as part of its COVID-19 pandemic response.

The DILG said they will prioritize the hiring of contact tracers in hot spots, especially Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan.

The Local Government Academy and the Philippine Safety College will spearhead contact tracing training for new hires.

The department is crafting four modules for the training of contact tracers.

The DILG has set minimum qualification standards for contract tracers: an applicant must be a graduate of a Bachelor’s degree on allied medical courses or criminology; should have one-year relevant experience; and should undergo four hours of relevant training.

Second priority will be given to those who have undergone at least two years of college education in medical or criminology-related courses, provided they have the relevant training and experience.

The DILG also said it wants to prioritize the hiring of government service personnel affected by budget realignments, as well as returning overseas Filipino workers.