To boost the contact tracing capacity of NCR LGUs, DILG, Department of Labor and Employment, and Metro Manila Development Authority forged a joint memorandum circular (JMC) to hire an additional 5,754 contact tracers (CTs) in NCR.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and MMDA Chair Benhur Abalos led the signing of Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-01 in a virtual ceremonial signing, as part of the activities lined up by the national government in observance of Labor Day.

The TUPAD contact tracers will add to the existing 10,097 contact tracers in the National Capital Region, making it closer to the ideal people-to-contact tracer ratio of 1:800.

Under the JMC, the DOLE, through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD), will hire the contact tracers. The DILG will assist in the hiring and training process, while the MMDA will be in charge of disseminating information and coordinating with LGUs.

In his solidarity message, Año lauded the LGUs and local chief executives for taking the lead in the fight against COVID-19, adding that “the DILG will remain proactive in supporting and guiding the LGUs.”

Selection committees have been organized in the LGUs to lead in the screening and assessment of applicants. The committee comprises the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager, the DILG NCR Field Office Director/Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, the City/Municipal Health Officer, or Epidemiology Surveillance Unit representative.

TUPAD contact tracers shall undergo a virtual training program facilitated by DILG National Capital Region (DILG NCR). The TUPAD contact tracers will be using the same training modules developed for the contact tracers hired by the DILG under Bayanihan 2.

Among the contact tracers’ responsibilities are interviewing and profiling COVID-19 cases and their identified close contacts, performing initial public health risk assessment, referral of close contacts to isolation facilities, daily monitoring of close contacts, and other tasks concerning COVID -19 response.

The TUPAD contact tracers will receive insurance, personal protective equipment (PPE), TUPAD ID, and orientation on safety and health before deployment. They will be receiving a salary of Php 537 per day for three months.

A highlight of the ceremonial JMC signing is the simultaneous signing of contract and deployment of contact tracers hired in Quezon City, Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, and Pateros.

Muntinlupa PESO Chief Glenda Zamora Aniñon expressed her gratitude for the assistance provided for contact tracing, noting that it would help in the efforts of the LGU against COVID-19. #