To achieve quality assessment of nutrition implementation in LGUs in Region IV-A, NNC-CaLaBaRZon and the RNET-CaLaBaRZon vigilantly discussed and reviewed the MELLPI Pro tools during the “Mock MELLPI Pro Evaluation” meeting last August 9.
The team is now in full force and the RNET for Local Nutrition Focal Points (LNFPs) nutrition workers in CaLaBaRZon have started their preparations.
MELLPI (Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation) Pro is the monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition at the local level -- a local sub-system of the PPAN Results Framework.
Participating in the successful meeting were a total of 33 members from 17 member agencies of the RNET, namely: TESDA, PIA, DILG, POPCOM, DOH-CHD, DOH-DRRM-H, NCIP, IIRR, DSWD, DENR, BFAR, DAR, DTI, DOLE, DOST, UPLB-BIDANI, and the technical and administrative staff of NNC4A.
Alongside MELLPI is the evaluation of the performance of the Local Nutrition Focal Points such as the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), Nutrition Action Officers (NAO), and the Local Nutrition Program Coordinators (LNPC) in the implementation of the local nutrition programs.
The monitoring and evaluation mechanism has long been used for LGUs at the national, regional and local levels, previously to measure program efficiency in relation to program outreach, budget allocation and expenditure, and policy issuances. It measured change in nutritional status among pre-school and school children for a period of three (3) years. This was then revised and has shifted from emphasis to program outreach to quality. The new system also expanded from preschool and schoolchildren to include the nutritional status of pregnant women. This is parallel to first 1000 days of life as the focus of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022. The new monitoring and evaluation system for the local government units also aims to measure the contribution of the LGUs to the PPAN targets and outcomes.
Within the mechanism, the results chains, activity, output, outcome and impact are depicted in the six (6) dimensions within a local government context. In effect, the activities and outputs become the local translation of the identified priority policies, services and trainings expressed in the PPAN Results Framework.
Furthermore, the outcome and impacts in the sub-system measures the conditional and behavioral changes on the specific areas/ target groups and their contribution to the national targets.
Meanwhile, the feedbacking process for LGUs and LNFPs were one of the concerns raised in the meeting by Ms. Jellie Anne Palencia, the RNET Chaiperson.
In addition, the Schedule of the Evaluation” was also discussed and in need of finalization as approved by the RNET members. To make the MELLPI PRO more efficient and effective, it was suggested that the team share the strategies and actions.
For now, Ms, Carina Santiago, RNPC of NNC-CaLaBaRZon, will release an advisory for LGUs, requesting for the submission of the necessary documents for the actual MELLPI Pro Evaluation.
Despite of the very hectic schedule, the RNET members are very much willing and excited to attend in the coming MELLPI PRO Evaluation for Nutrition in CaLaBaRZon Region.
By: Edward C. Paglinawan
