By Fernan Angeles
WITH the Bayanihan to Recover as One bicameral bill just a hair-thin away from being a law, the government is expected to resume hiring of contact tracers in September or just in time for the release of the P5-billion appropriation allocating funds just for that purpose.
In a statement, the designated spokesperson of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said they would ramp up hiring of contact tracers next month.
Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that they are just waiting for the ratification and singing of the President for the Bayanihan-2. “‘Pag ito [P5-billion funding] ay na-release na ng DBM (Department of Budget and Management) sa amin ay maglalabas na kami ng qualifications for contact tracers.”
“Siguro sa September puwede na kami mag-hire,” he said.
Malaya cited the importance of the additional P5-billion funding adding that the agency will be able to hire a maximum of 50,000 contact tracers to meet the recommended ratio for contact tracing of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the Philippines’ contact tracing czar, of a 1:30 or 1:37.
To date, there are about 85,000 contact tracers all over the country. An additional 50,000 personnel will reach the government’s goal of 135,000 contact tracers.
“Priority natin Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan,” Malaya said.
In the meantime, the DILG hinted at drafting the guidelines required before the deployment of contact tracers.
But even no money on hand, Malaya said that they would consider advance hiring to hasten the deployment of contact tracers once funds are available.
“It is contact tracing that will cut the transmission,” Malaya said.
On Friday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año expressed gratitude to lawmakers as the additional funds would allow the government to enforce aggressive contact tracing, active case surveillance, and case finding.
All three measures form part of the pillars of the National Action Plan against COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senate has ratified the reconciled version of the proposed Bayanihan in a bid to facilitate economic recovery as the Philippines continues its battle against COVID-19.
The House of Representatives meanwhile is set to ratify on Monday the bicameral committee report on the proposed Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, which now outlines a P165 billion-worth of response interventions to help the country recover from the COVID-19 crisis and boost the economy.