DOLE allocates additional P65-M for Metro Manila contact tracing

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allocated an additional P65 million which local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila can tap for contact tracing efforts.

According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the additional funds will boost contact tracing efforts as LGUs have already received 10,000 applications for tracers as of April 22, 2021.

"Maari nang palakasin ng lokal na pamahalaan, sa pamamagitan ng kani-kanilang Public Employment Service Offices (PESO), ang kanilang contact tracing gamit ang karagdagang pondo," he said.

(LGUs can boost their contact tracing efforts with the additional funds under their respective Public Employment Service Offices.)

The PESO is a non-fee charging multi-dimensional employment service facility or entity established in all LGUs. It aims to ensure prompt and efficient delivery of employment facilitation services.

Bello earlier said LGUs can recruit contact tracers under the Labor Department's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) workers program.

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that seeks to provide emergency employment for displaced workers. They are hired for 10 to 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed. The DOLE allotted an initial amount of P232 million for 4,754 contact tracers this year.

"Dahil may problema ang DILG para pondohan ang contact tracing ng mga LGU, naisip ko na nararapat lamang na ialok ang programang TUPAD para sa layuning ito," said Bello.

"Sa ganitong paraan, hindi lamang tayo nakapagbibigay ng agarang trabaho sa ating mga manggagawang nawalan ng hanapbuhay, nakatulong din tayo na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng komunidad para pigilan ang pagkalat ng sakit sa pamamagitan ng contact tracing," he added.

(Because the DILG has problems in funding the contact tracing of the LGUs, I thought it right to offer the TUPAD program. In this way, we not only provide immediate employment for those who lost their jobs but we also address community problems to stop the spread of the virus through contact tracing.)

The NCR Plus -- Metro Manila Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan -- was placed under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from April 12 until April 30.

An MECQ is slightly less strict than the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which was imposed in the bubble starting March 29. It was set to last only until April 4, but was extended for another week until April 11.

The Philippines on Saturday, April 24, reported 9,661 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total caseload to 989,380. This includes 89,845 active cases; 22,877 recoveries; and 16,674 deaths. — DVM, GMA News