The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Eastern Visayas (DILG-8) is eyeing to deploy at least 1,473 contact tracers to help different local government units (LGU) in the region.

In a statement on Tuesday, DILG Regional Director Karl Ceasar Rimando said these will ramp up contact tracing efforts in the region, especially in areas with the most number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

“They will augment the existing contact tracing teams of LGUs who will provide the first point of contact of a Covid-19 case. They will be conducting interviews, profiling, and perform a public health risk assessment of patients and their identified close contacts,” he added.

A bachelor’s degree relevant to the job, preferably on allied medical courses and criminology, is among the minimum qualifications.

Rimando said prospective contact tracers must also be skilled in data gathering, research, and documentation; must be able to interview patients and close contacts to gather data on travel history and conduct health assessments; must possess the ability to advocate public health education messages; and must have the investigative capability.

Background training and eligibility are not required, he added.

Applicants must submit through dilg8personnel.rsp@gmail.com the required documents which include the application letter addressed to the regional director, personal data sheet, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and drug test result.

Rimando said successful applicants will receive a gross monthly salary of PHP18,784.

The regional office disclosed that hiring of new contact tracers is implemented under the Bayanihan to Recover As one Act or Bayanihan 2 law.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, the region has logged a total of 3,826 cases, including 3,094 recoveries and 37 deaths, based on the monitoring report of the Department of Health. (PNA)