Twelve (12) City/Municipal Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in Metro Manila competed for the 2019 Regional Outstanding BNS (ROBNS) Award. The BNSs were evaluated as part of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation or MELLPI Pro held on June 15-September 10, 2021.

The MELLPI Pro is the monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) at the local level. Aside from the monitoring and evaluation of local nutrition program implementation, the MELLPI Pro also assesses the performance of local nutrition workers in carrying out their core functions in line with delivering nutrition services in their area. The assessment of these nutrition workers also called the local nutrition focal points (LNFP) cover Nutrition Action Officer, City/Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinator and BNS.

Read more: NCR-RNET conducts MELLPI Pro in the new normal (https://www.nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/luzon/national-capital-region/5999-ncr-rnet-conducts-mellpi-pro-in-the-new-normal)

Using the MELLPI Pro tool, the performance of the 12 BNSs were assessed in terms of coordination, advocacy and promotion, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, resource generation, and documentation and record-keeping. They were interviewed by the members of the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) and took the written examination. Due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the region and the BNSs being infected as well, the written examination was couriered to all the BNS contenders and actual conduct of examination was held virtually.

Computation of scores followed this breakdown: MELLPI Pro Score – 70%, OBNS exam – 20%, and interview – 10%. The highest-ranking BNS in the region with an overall rating of at least 90% was adjudged as the ROBNS for 2019 during the RNET Deliberation Meeting held on September 15, 2021.

Read more: RNET determines top performing NCR LGUs and outstanding LNFPs (https://nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/luzon/national-capital-region/6006-rnet-determines-top-performing-ncr-lgus-and-outstanding-lnfps)

Aside from the trophy, the ROBNS Awardee will also receive an incentive and cash award of P20,000. If shortlisted, he/she will be able to represent NCR in the national evaluation.

The 2019 ROBNS together with the top performing NCR LGUs and outstanding LNFPs will be recognized during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony to be held in November 2021.

Written by:
Nutrition Officer II Theresa A. Rivas and
Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo