In preparation for the annual Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI), NNC MIMAROPA convened members of Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team for a MELLPI Refresher Course/ Re-Orientation held January 26, 2017 at St. Giles Hotel, Makati City.
Experienced evaluators of RNET who attended the refresher course were Ms. Gualberta C. Florendo of Rural Improvement Club of the Philippines (RIC), Ms. Lady Darlene Peñafiel of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Ms. J-an C. Manuel of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Ms. Chona C. Zamora of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Ms. Rose Ann I. Marquez of Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP), and Mr. Andy L. Pergis of Commission of Population (PopCom) and new members which were Ms. Jennifer V. Belleza of the Department from the Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Ms. Fritzie Tobias of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Ms. Hazel Delmo of Department of Agriculture and Mr. Joel C. Guevarra of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
To orient new participants and reorient experienced RNET members, NO III Hannah Christina P. Clemente discussed the background and guidelines in the conduct of MELLPI as well as instructions in filling-up the evaluation forms. The experienced members of RNET shared their experience on the areas they evaluated last 2016 and gave practical advice on the conduct of MELLPI to new members.
As RNET members shared their experiences in the conduct of MELLPI, OIC-NPC Carina Z. Santiago reminded that aside from evaluation, the conduct of MELLPI also serve as a venue for local government units (LGUs) to improve their nutrition program management. She emphasized the technical expertise and encouragement of RNET will empower LGUs to raise their nutrition situation through effective planning and implementation of nutrition programs. Likewise, the feedback of RNET would privode the LGUs with the areas for improvement and basis for Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) to lobby nutrition to their respective local chief executives.
In conjunction with MELLPI, the NNC also evaluates the Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC), and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAO) endorsed by the province vying for recognition at regional level. NO I Francis Erik P. Bacena discussed the procedures in accomplishing the Performance Evaluation and Validation Checklist Forms for BNS and criteria for the Search for Regional Outstanding BNC and MNAO.
Along with desk evaluation, validation weighing was also part of evaluation of effectiveness of programs implemented in the local government units (LGUs). To ensure the evaluators were accurate in obtaining the weight of preschoolers, NO I Joyce Loesterli B. Velasco presented the proper assessment methods of obtaining the weight using a suspended weighing scale. Assessment of height using a heightboard was discussed as well.
Through the orientation, RNET members are committed to keenly monitor and evaluate the nutrition program management of LGUs and provide technical support for LGUs in need of assistance.
