The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allocated an additional P65 million for contract tracing efforts of local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila.
The added funds will improve contact tracing efforts as LGUs have already received 10,000 applications for tracers as of April 22, 2021, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
“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.
With a mission in ensuring prompt and efficient delivery of employment facilitation services, PESO is a non-fee multidimensional employment service facility or entity established in all LGUs.
Bello said the LGUs can recruit contact tracers under the Labor Department’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) workers program, a community-based package of assistance that aims to provide employment for displaced workers.
DOLE allotted an initial amount of P232 million for 4,754 contact tracers this year. Depending on the nature of the work to be performed, they are hired for 10 to 30 days aided by TUPAD.
“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. Ronald dela Cruz