As the song goes, “…and we can build this dream together, stand this storm forever, nothing’s gonna stop us now”. Yes, nothing can stop the expanded Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team of Central Luzon (RNET-CL) from taking a wide stride to start and finish the 2018 Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) from April to August 2018.

The team’s “take off point” for the 2018 MELLPI was the validation visits of the contenders for the 2017 Search for the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars (ROBNS) held on 23 April to 23 May 2018. The 2017 Search for the ROBNS aims to recognize individuals with outstanding performance in improving the nutrition situation of their respective communities. Participating ROBNS contenders came from the cities of Cabanatuan, Science City of Muñoz, San Jose and Palayan (Nueva Ecija); Malolos and Meycauayan (Bulacan), Angeles, San Fernando and Mabalacat (Pampanga) and from the provinces of Aurora (Dilasag), Bataan (Samal), Nueva Ecija (Talavera), Pampanga (Lubao), Tarlac (La Paz) and Zambales (Candelaria).

The 30-member RNET-CL who actively participated and played pivotal roles in the completion of the 2017 Search for ROBNS were from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Philippine Information Agency and Philippine National Police.  

A unique feature of this year’s MELLPI was the application of five-pronged strategies such as: 1) organization of two to three teams to maximize time and shorten the validation visits; 2) conductof desk review at the regional government center, which requires synchronizing schedules of the RNET/RTWG members; 3) hiring of vehicle or use of RNC-member agency vehicle; 4) scheduling of areas that are adjacent or near each other e.g. visit in Cabanatuan City was dovetailed with the visit in Aurora Province; and 5) manage time based on a set schedule. The exit or feedback conference of the initial findings was the most awaited part of the evaluation as most of the LGUs showed their receptiveness in improving their current practices in addressing their nutrition situation.

As the 2018 MELLPI is nearing to completion, both the RNET members and the LGUs who took the challenge of being evaluated look forward to the much awaited 2018 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony, not just to celebrate success but to renew their commitment to the women and children who made up the nutrition program.

Author:

NO III Angelita M. Pasos