DILG scraps deadline as it continues hiring more contact tracers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said it scrapped its deadline for application of additional contact tracers, noting that it would continue its hiring process to complete its target for contact tracing teams.

“What’s important to us is to fill up the slots and recruit the most number of Contact Tracers as provided in the Bayanihan 2 law (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act) so those who meet the deadline will immediately be processed but we will continue to accept applications until we have met our targets,” DILG spokesman and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a statement.

Malaya said they canceled its Sept. 23 deadline for applicants to submit their requirements namely,  application letter, personal data sheet, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and drug test results.

Some 10,000 aspiring contact tracers in Metro Manila but are still completing the requirements, Malaya also noted.

Malaya added that the first batch of hired contact tracers will be deployed by the first week of October.

“As soon as they are deemed qualified by the selection board, they will be hired, trained, and deployed to the various LGUs,” Malaya said.

Under the newly-signed Bayanihan 2 law, P5 billion worth of funds were allocated for hiring and training of 50,000 more contact tracers. [ac]