The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to hire 50,000 contact tracers in September.
This was according to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año's statement, which was released on DILG's website earlier today, August 23, 2020.
The announcement came after the Senate and the House of Representatives granted the agency PHP5 billion for its contact-tracing efforts under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).
"This is really good news because we can now hire a maximum of 50,000 more contact tracers to meet the WHO (World Health Organization) recommended ratio of one contact tracer for every 800 people. They will supplement the 85,000 contact tracers we now have, and allow us to double the number of contact tracers in LGUs with rising cases, especially in Metro Manila," said Año.
He added, "We will now be able to significantly increase the number of contact tracers to meet the 1:37 ratio target recommended by Mayor Magalong which has been effective in Baguio and in Cebu City."
The agency plans to adapt the contact-tracing procedure of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Recognized by WHO as one of the best practices in containing COVID-19 in the country, it combines "digital technology and cognitive interviews by contact tracers."
According to Interior Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, the agency will start the recruitment as soon as Department of Budget and Management (DBM) releases the funds.
"We expect this September [that the] funds can be transferred to us by DBM so that we can start hiring," he said in a text message to Inquirer.
CONTACT TRACER'S QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants in hot spots, such as Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan, will be given priority.
Requirements also include a Bachelor's degree in allied medical courses or criminology and at least one year of relevant experience in the field.
Applicants without diplomas should have at least two years of college education in medical or criminology-related courses.
Relevant training and experience will also be considered for the position.
Government employees who were retrenched during the pandemic and returning Overseas Filipino Workers are also encouraged to apply.
The DILG is planning to offer newly hired contact tracers a monthly salary of PHP20,219.
