The National Nutrition Council’s (NNC) Nutrition Surveillance Division conducted an orientation for new members of the National Evaluation Team (NET) for the Search for the 2016 National Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (NOBNS), Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner on Nutrition Maintenance Awardees and Nutrition Honor Awardees. The participants consist of representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority, University of the Philippines-Los Baños, the Philippine Coalition of Advocates for Nutrition Security (PhilCAN), Inc. member from Gems Heart Outreach Development Inc., and Council for the Welfare of Children.

The whole-day orientation discussed the various activities of the NET on- and off-field and the evaluation tools for provinces, cities/municipalities and barangays. The NNC welcomes the participation of new members from various agencies to come-up with a holistic evaluation of the nutrition programs implemented in the country.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) is conducted annually by the interagency nutrition evaluation team from the national to city/municipal levels to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of local nutrition programs, while the annual search for NOBNS aims to recognize exceptional performance and contribution of the BNSs in the delivery of quality innovative basic nutrition services to their respective communities that led to improved nutrition situation. There will be a total of nineteen (19) areas that will be evaluated by the NET. Winners of this year’s search will be recognized during the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony to be held in October 2017.

The validation visits in the 19 areas will be conducted from April to June 2017.