MULING minobilisa ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang 15,000 contact tracers para matiyak na magiging tuloy-tuloy ang ginagawang contact tracing efforts ng kagawaran.

Muling kinuha ng DILG ang serbisyo ng may 15,000 contact tracers (CTs) sa buong bansa sa loob ng panibagong anim na buwan.

Nabatid na inaprubahan ng Department of Budget and Management ang kabuuang P1.9-billion para sa hiring ng CTs ngayong 2021.

“While the country’s COVID-19 response is significantly improving, we should sustain our contact tracing efforts especially with the reported entry of the new UK variant into the country. Hence, we are pleased that we have been given the funds to re-hire some 15,000 CTs this year who will continue to help us track down, monitor coronavirus cases, and cut transmission in the community,” ani DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.

Sinabi pa ni Malaya, nais sana nilang i-rehire ang may 50,000 CTs na pinakilos nila nuong nakaraang taon subalit naging balakid sa kanila ang budget limitations.

“Much as we would like to continue the services of all the 50,000 CTs hired in 2020, we need to have a more rational number of CTs and work within the available budget allotted to the Department. Hence, only 15,000 CTs will be re-hired under a six-month contract in the meantime while we wait for the release of additional funds,” dagdag pa ng tagapagsalita.

Gagamitin ng DILG ang P1.4-billion na nakapaloob sa unreleased balance mula sa RA 11519 or extension of the validity of appropriations under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

Idadagdag ito sa P500-million na inilaan para sa e-hiring ng contact tracers para sa 2021 General Appropriations Act.

“Therefore, DILG field offices and the LGUs are directed to conduct an immediate assessment of the performance of the contact tracers and proceed with the selection of those who have effectively and efficiently performed their assigned tasks,” ani Malaya.

Samantala, umabot na sa kalahating milyon ang kaso ng COVID-19 sa Pilipinas.

Base sa case bulletin ng Department of Health (DOH), sumampa na sa 500,577 ang kabuuang bilang ng kaso ng sakit matapos itong madagdagan ng 1,895.

Nasa 5,868 naman ang bilang ng new recoveries dahilan para umabot sa 465,991 ang kabuuang bilang ng mga gumaling.

Dahil dito, nasa 24,691 pa ang aktibong kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa.

Nadagdagan naman ng 11 ang mga nasawi kaya mayroon na itong kabuuang bilang na 9,895. (JESSE KABEL)