DILG starts hiring 50,000 contact tracers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is now hiring 50,000 contact tracers.

“The DILG is looking for dedicated and patriotic individuals who want to join the fight against COVID-19. If you want to take an active part in defeating the pandemic, join the DILG Contact Tracing Teams!” it said in a statement over the weekend.

The DILG will start today the recruitment, hiring and training of at least 50,000 contact tracers nationwide following President Duterte’s recent signing of the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act” or Bayanihan 2.

Successful applicants will receive P18,748 per month in a contract of service status. Responsibilities of contact tracers include interviews, profiling and initial public health risk assessment of COVID-19 cases and their identified close contacts.

They will also refer the close contacts to facilities, conduct enhanced tracing and conduct daily monitoring of these contacts for 14 days. Other tasks in relation to COVID-19 response may also be assigned to the hired contact tracers.

In order to qualify, interested applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree or college level in an allied medical course or criminology course.

Applicants should also be skilled in data gathering, research and documentation, while also possessing the ability to advocate public health education messages, and have an investigative capability.

Interested individuals are required to submit a letter of intent, personal data sheet, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and drug test results. The application and documents will be submitted to the DILG provincial and city field offices.

The DILG said affected local contractual employees and overseas Filipino workers will be prioritized in the hiring.– Mayen Jaymalin