Local government units are being urged by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to participate in the free contact tracing training program (CTTP). This would assist them in tracking down the close contacts of individuals who have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

On September 4, the TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña led the virtual class opening of the first batch of learners for CTTP in the TESDA MUNTIPARLASTAPAT Training and Assessment Center.

“Our Contact Tracing Level II training program is another response and contribution of TESDA in the whole-of-government approach to fighting the pandemic. I also commend our trainees for taking part in this program. Your efficiency as contact tracers will be crucial in preventing the further spread of the virus in your communities,” Lapeña said during his message.

Lapeña has likewise directed the TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs) nationwide to register the program and partner with barangay health centers, LGUs, Red Cross, or DOH facilities in their areas which may already have the existing minimum equipment required in the competency standards.

At the recent public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya reported that the government needs more than 10,000 contact tracers in Metro Manila alone.

TESDA Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Linkages Aniceto Bertiz III, together with TESDA Deputy Director General for Operations Lina Sarmiento, attended the said House hearing.

Bertiz enlisted the support and participation of LGUs in its latest program offering.

“As most LGUs try to relax their respective quarantine protocols and return to normalcy, it has become even more urgent and imperative to beef up our efforts to stop the coronavirus from further spreading in our communities,” he said.

The training on contact tracing which was developed with the help of the Health Human Resources Development Bureau of the Department of Health and the health industry experts will run for 15 days on blended learning modality.

Trainees for contact tracing must have completed at least 10 years basic education or holder of Alternative Learning System certificate of completion with Grade 10 equivalent and has basic communication skills.

Trainees will be given a training allowance amounting to P2,400, insurance coverage, internet allowance, and free health protection equipment. The graduates may apply in LGUs of their choice for possible deployment or employment. They shall form part of the local contact tracing teams of the LGUs to assist in tracking down the close contacts of individuals tested positive with COVID-19.

It can be recalled that at the onset of the pandemic, Lapeña immediately responded to the crisis and called for the registration of more health-related programs. He also tasked the agency's Qualifications and Standards Office to immediately develop competency standards on contact tracing to support the country's fight against the spread of the coronavirus.