After its successful five (5) batches of roll out training on the updated monitoring and evaluation tool dubbed as the MELLPI Pro last month, the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region are now prepared and ready for its application in the 2019 Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI).

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 used 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).

”We are very excited and at the same time curious to use the MELLPI Pro in our areas. Excited to be able to already check our score and curious to know our strengths and weaknesses in our program implementation” said Dr. Maria Concepcion Abbang, MNAO-Lallo, Cagayan, during their roll out training last 26-27 March 2019.

“It also recognizes not only the effort of the MNC as a whole but also the nutrition workers as it assessed the performance of the different men and women behind the success of the nutrition program management,” said PNAO Henedina Cabrera, Province of Isabela during their roll out training last 20-21 March 2019.

Mr. Jay Martinez, MNAO of Sabtang, Batanes also said “Inspired kami, renewed ang aming commitment at rekindled ang aming morale para gawin at isakatuparan ang mga programang pang-nutrisyon sa aming bayan dahil naipakita ng mga taas – DOH, NNC, PNC and pag-asikaso nila sa mga nasa ibaba- MNC/PNC para lalong magkaroon pa ng mas maunlad na pakikibaka laban sa malnutrisyon”. Mr. Martinez was also elated to say that the MELLPI Pro is the most innovative tool ever to be used for monitoring and evaluation and definitely made easy for frontline workers and evaluators to do their job.

Conversely, majority of the participants of the five (5) batches of the training find the tool very appropriate and user friendly. For them it will ease their time in evaluating a nutrition committee but ensures accurate and concise scoring and rating because of its document-based scoring system.

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. 

LGUs will be using the MELLPI Pro in their scheduled provincial, municipal evaluation and after which will also be used by the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) in their MELLPI. (JNLB-NNCR02)