Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) started its annual Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) for the year 2015 here last week.

The RNET led by the NNC-CAR in collaboration with the interagency evaluation team will go around the region to monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the local nutrition program being implemented by the different local government units (LGUs) in the region.

First stop of the RNET composed of representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Health, Philippine Information Agency and NNC, was at Luna where the team met with the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, Barangay Nutrition Scholar, and conducted interviews and review and analysis of documents.

The group proceeded to Kabugao on April 16 and met the members of the Municipal Nutrition Committee led by Dr. PJ Ukkong. She presented the MNC 2014 accomplishment report and shared some information about the municipality.

Kabugao has 21 barangays and not even half of it are accessible by road at the moment. Hopefully before the year ends, majority of the barangays will be accessible through the Kabugao-Solsona road, she said. The town has also 8 barangay health stations, of which two were converted to birthing facility.

The RNET is organized to evaluate provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays with Nutrition Action Plans (NAP). For monitoring purposes, the RNET also visits local government units without NAP, non-functional nutrition committee and without nutrition program to provide technical assistance.

The RNET is scheduled to go to Abra on April 27-30; Baguio City and Mt. Province (May 4-8); Kalinga and Tabuk City (May 11-15); Ifugao (May 18-22) and Benguet (May 25-29). Maria Aprila Cruz