DOLE allocates P204-M for hiring 12K contact tracers in 'NCR Plus'

DOLE has allocated PHP204 million to hire informal sector workers as contact tracers in the 'NCR Plus' area.

Contact tracers will be hired through the TUPAD program and are limited to working four hours a day to reduce mobility.

The hiring process is expected to start next week, with 12,000 contact tracers being employed: 5,000 in NCR and 7,000 in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

Under the TUPAD program, workers will initially be hired for 10 days but can have their contracts extended to 20 or 30 days if needed.

The PHP18 billion budget for this emergency employment program is part of the 2021 General Appropriations Act.