Cavite gov shuns hiring of ‘gossipmongers’ to help in contact tracing

MANILA, Philippines — Will tapping “chismosos” and “chismosas” (gossipmongers) really help trace individuals who have had direct contact with coronavirus disease patients? Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla does not think so.

The governor mentioned the use of so-called busybodies in contact tracing in his Facebook post on Thursday, in which he also urged the government to focus on the COVID-19 response instead of reopening talks on Charter change.

“Mayroon pang ‘mga chismosa gagamitin laban sa kapwa o kapitbahay’?!” Remulla said.

(There is even a plan to use gossipers to tattle on their neighbors?!)

“I am sure there are better, more efficient and intelligent ways to make the people cooperate with the government,” he added.

Remulla was apparently referring to the statement of Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), that gossipers may be useful as contact tracers to help curb the spread of the virus in the region.

Ferro explained that gossipers may work as a sort of informer who usually know the latest happenings about their neighborhood, which could help the government gather useful information in their areas.

In his Facebook post, Remulla also said what the government should do instead is to continue to prioritize COVID-19 testing, conduct better contact tracing and isolation, and focus on healing the sick and uniting the people towards economic recovery.

“Dapat, wala tayo ibang unahin na kung ano ano. Pagtuunan sana natin ng singular na atensyon ang paglaban at pagsugpo sa pandemya at aksyunan lahat ng problema na dulot nito,” he also said.

(We should not prioritize other things. Let us give attention to fighting the pandemic and take action on the problems it causes. Charter change or proposed amendments to the Constitution should be made later.)

EDV