Local Nutrition Evaluation Teams in the region, provinces, cities and municipalities of Quirino province positively embraced MELLPI Pro as the new monitoring and evaluation tool in the recently conducted first batch training on the Updated Monitoring and Evaluation Protocol for Local Government and Nutrition Workers last 5-6 March at Crown Pavilion Hotel, Tuguegarao City.

The updated monitoring and evaluation tool dubbed as MELLPI Pro is the updated monitoring and evaluation framework and system for assessment of initiatives along policy and legislation, nutrition service delivery, capacity building, performance of nutrition workers and nutrition outcomes of pregnant women.
The tool is called MELLPI Pro because it is a Protocol that includes procedures and tools; Promotive since it promotes awareness and observance to existing laws, rules and guidelines; Progressive as scoring is based on desired progress of LGUs in terms of nutrition program implementation and Professional because it promotes professional and objective review of evidences.

In addition, the MELLPI Pro is also a tool use to assess the performance of local nutrition workers such as Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) and District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators (DCNPCs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs).

“It’s high time that we also recognize the efforts of local men and women behind the nutrition program implementation and improvement of nutrition situation in the region and the country as well” said OIC NPC Maria Gisela M. Lonzaga. “This is also a venue for nutrition workers to assess themselves to further improve their performance” she added.
On the other hand, local nutrition evaluators find the tool very appropriate and user friendly as it requires minimal time and effort but ensures accurate and concise scoring and rating because of its document-based scoring system.

“The tool is very user friendly, we can already come up with a score before leaving the area during the monitoring and evaluation,” said Mr. Ruben Ramuel Ambatali II, Nutrition Officer II- Province of Nueva Vizcaya. “The tool is very professional at the same time very specific on the needed documents, wherein you will generate evidence-based scoring,” added by Ms. Bernadette Macaraeg, DNPC-City of Ilagan, during the sharing of insights and learnings.

The MELLPI Pro replaces the old MELLPI tool. The old MELLPI tool assesses the local nutrition program using efficiency and effectiveness criteria while the new tool emphasizes assessment of LGUs' progress toward compliance to quality standards; evidence-based validation; and mentoring through joint discussion for learnings and actions with the LGU and nutrition workers assessed.

The new tool will already be used by LGUs in Region 02 in the conduct of the 2019 monitoring and evaluation of local level plan implementation and evaluation of nutrition workers after all five batches of training on the MELLPI Pro are done this March. (JNLB-NNCR02)