NORTHERN Mindanao interior and local government department (DILG-10) on Tuesday said some 387 contact tracers from 3 provinces in the region already received their first salary after the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act (Bayanihan 2) was signed into law.
Under Bayanihan 2 Law, contact tracers have been hired, trained and deployed by the DILG field offices in their respective areas of concern nationwide.
With salary grade 10, 141 contact tracers in Bukidnon, Camiguin (30), Misamis Occidental (216) received the total amount of P20,219 from the DILG-10, after submitting their complete requirements.
"For contact tracers, we regularly monitor their performance as to kinahanglanon nga responsiblidad (needed responsibility) as contact tracers hired by DILG," said DILG-10 regional director Arnel Agabe.
During the Normin COVID-19 Response Task Force press briefing, Agabe said contact tracers with complete documents such as the signed contract, daily time record (DTR), bank account, tax identification number (TIN), accomplishment report and others will be able to receive their salary.
He added that communication and transportation allowance with complete attachments will be given to the hired contact tracers through reimbursement.
Aside from contact tracing, Agabe said the contact tracers also conduct case investigation, active surveillance, and risk assessment together with the health units of local government units (LGUs).
With the changes in the number of COVID-19 cases in various areas, the regional director said they validate requests for CT augmentation of LGUs and ensure that proper intervention will be given.
As for concerns on LGUs' treatment of DILG hired field officers, Agabe reminded them of the anti-corruption program of the government.
Agabe calls on the public to file complaints against those local officials who abuse their power as the department will take necessary actions to the concerned LGUs including the compliance to show cause orders.
As of November 10, there are a total of 5,587 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in northern Mindanao, wherein 3,290 have recovered, 148 expired, and 2,149 are recovering. (Recthie Tolinero/PIA10)
