The Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Protocol (MELLPI Pro) of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) is used for monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning, implementation, and management of nutrition and nutrition-related programs of the LGUs and their corresponding nutrition workers. MELLPI Pro replaces the traditional MELLPI used from the early ‘80s. The new MELLPI Pro considers the following elements: Vision and Mission, Nutrition Policies and Laws, Governance and Organizational Structure, Local Nutrition Committee Management Functions, and Nutrition Intervention and Services.
On 28 February 2020, the NNC RO IX, headed by OIC NPC Nimfa D. Ekong joined the 1st Quarter City Nutrition Committee Meeting of Isabela City, Basilan to orient the members of the City Nutrition Committee (CNC) on the MELLPI Pro. CNC members from the LGU of Isabela City composed of the City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO), focal persons from DILG, DepEd, CDRRMO, CSWDO, City Budget Office, PIA, CHO, City Population Office, DXNO, and City Agricultural Office were present during the meeting.
OIC NPC Ekong discussed the key features of the MELLPI Pro and briefly explained the scoring system of the said protocol. Under this new tool, the Local Government Units (LGUs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators (C/DNPCs), and the City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers are monitored and evaluated. Using this tool, the evaluators are objective in reviewing evidence using the rubrics provided and will be able to know the score of the LGU or nutrition worker at the end of the day using the radial diagram.
OIC NPC Ekong also encouraged the LGU of Isabela City to do their best so that they could also qualify for the Green Banner Seal of Compliance Award, the award given to an LGU that has shown very satisfactory performance in implementing nutrition programs. CNC members were able to discuss about the records and documents they still need to show to the evaluators such as the Operation Timbang Reports, vision and mission, and the documents showing the prevalence of underweight, stunted, wasted, and overweight children of different age range.
The chance of LGU Isabela City from bagging the award is not far from impossible especially with the full support of their Local Chief Executive, Honorable Sitti Djalia T. Hataman, by allocating funds for nutrition programs that include training for BNS, learning visit of CNC members and incentives for BNS. In addition, forty-five (45) BNSs of Isabela City, Basilan were trained on the Basic Course for BNS last 19-21 February at Zamboanga City. In line with this, they also have a chance to be an Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (OBNS), which is a step closer from possibly being a contender in the search for Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS)
As the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) is about to begin their monitoring and evaluation, the LGU of Isabela City and the members of the CNC are now working hand-in-hand to help their locality improve its nutrition situation with the high hopes of being awarded in the Nutrition Awarding Ceremony, being in the Regional and National Levels.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to conduct planning workshop integrating nutrition in the Local Development Plan (LDP) which will be funded by the LGU and NNC will provide technical assistance. The schedule will be communicated to NNC once the date is finalized with the Hon. Mayor Hataman.
AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot
