DILG says deadline for application of contact tracers until Sept. 23, 2020

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday reminded the public that applications for contact tracers would be accepted until Wednesday, September 23.

The DILG is aiming to hire at least 50,000 contact tracers to intensify the government's contact tracing efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"These 50K contact tracers will greatly amplify our COVID-19 efforts and further decrease our daily cases,” DILG chief Eduardo Año said in a statement.

“The DILG is looking for dedicated and patriotic individuals who want to join the fight against COVID-19," he added.

Año said the 50,000 contact tracers who will be hired would be assigned to the various contact tracing teams of local government units.

The DILG said Metro Manila would get 19.2% of the total number of the hired contact tracers as the National Capital Region remains as one of the hotspots of COVID-19. 

Interested applicants are required to submit an application letter, personal data sheet, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and drug test result to the nearest DILG provincial or city field office, according to DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.

Malaya said those who would be given priority in the hiring process include contractual personnel whose employment were not renewed, overseas Filipino workers whose employment were disrupted, local employees whose service have been recently terminated, and barangay health workers.

Malaya noted that to qualify, the applicant must have a degree or must acquire a college level in an allied medical or criminology course.

He added that applicants must also be skilled in data gathering and have assisted in research and documentation; able to interview COVID-19 cases and close contacts in order to gather data; possess the ability to advocate public health education messages, and have investigative capability.

The DILG said the contact tracers would earn a minimum of P18,784 per month in a contract of service status. — RSJ, GMA News