THE Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) urges local government units (LGUs) to organize village-based, contact-tracing teams as overseas Filipinos and locally stranded individuals return to hometowns.

“City and municipal mayors should prioritize the organization of local contact-tracing teams based on the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2020-01 of Popcom, the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Health (DoH) and Department of the Interior and Local Government issued on April 30, which prioritizes barangay (villages) where coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)-positive individuals reside,” commented Popcom Executive Director Juan Perez 3rd.