Año says gov’t nearing target of 50,000 contact tracers

November 17, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said they are a few thousand away on their target of 50,000 contact tracers and he is expecting to complete the remaining within this week.

Año said they have 46,338 contact tracers and all are deployed in local government units (LGUs) nationwide fighting COVID-19.

He said as committed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and stipulated in Bayanihan 2 Law, the 50,000 CTs will be completed as 6,664 qualified applicants nationwide.

Año said they are in the latter phase of the hiring process to determine  the remaining 3,662 CTs.

“We are geared towards completing the 50K CTs in compliance with the law, and we are going to hire the remaining 4k within the week,” he said.

Año said it is noteworthy some regions are relinquishing some contact tracers as they have enough.

He appealed to LGUs to notify them if they still need additional contact tracers as they still have 1,410 that can be redistributed to other LGUs who are in need due to sudden outbreaks.

Año said the National Capital Region (NCR), as the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis, got the most number of contact tracers with 7,362 followed by Central Luzon with 5,026; Central Visayas with 4,241; 3,679 for Calabarzon; 3,306 for Western Visayas; Zamboanga Peninsula with 3,267; Davao with 3,041; Bicol with 2,736; Caraga with 2,544; and, 2,000 for Northern Mindanao.

Other regions such as Mimaropa have 1,529 new contact tracers with Soccsksargen getting 1,501; Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with 1,480; Ilocos with 1,445; Eastern Visayas with 1,395; Cagayan Valley with 1,215; and CAR with 571.

"The low number of cases we are experiencing now is partly a result of our ramped up contact tracing capacity which immediately cuts the community transmission once a COVID patient is identified," he said.

“Our battle against COVID-19 is likely to be a long haul until our medical experts find a vaccine and a cure.  With the help of the 46,338 CTs who are now embedded in the localities, the task of fighting and containing the virus will be much easier and will be carried out more efficiently,” the secretary added.

Año also directed the LGUs in typhoon-ravaged areas with evacuation centers to deploy their contact tracing yeams to implement minimum health standards, conduct health promotion among the evacuees, and distribute face masks and alcohol, among others.

The DILG ensured that all of the government’s contact tracers will be safe as they fulfill their duties with the provision of complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); medical supplies; and other vital necessities in the performance of their duties, among others.

Under the guidelines set by the DILG, contact tracers will earn a minimum of P18,784 per month on a contract of service status. Ella Dionisio/DMS