Last 10 June 2022, the National Nutrition Coucil Region IX (NNC9) conducted the 9th session of its R9 CARAVAN to the Local Nutrition Workers of Zamboanga Peninsula via Google Meet. The activity highlights the discussion of the Brief Overview of the MELLPI Pro and its Key Features for the Local Nutrition Focal Points (LNFPs), the MELLPI Pro Tools for the LNFPs (NAOs, LNPCs, & BNSs), and the awards and incentives for the LNFPs. The activity was participated by more than eighty-six (86) attendees composed of Nutrition Action Officers, Local Nutrition Program Coordinators, Barangay Nutrition Scholar, DOH-HRH Nutritionist-Dietitians, and NNC9 technical staff.
During the session, NOII Joanna Marie Baltazar briefly discussed the MELLPI Pro Tools. The Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) Pro are designed to monitor and evaluate the performance of local government units (LGUs) and Local Nutrition Focal Points (LNFPs) in promoting nutrition security vis-à-vis nutrition outcomes. Results of the MELLPI Pro aim to guide policy and decision-makers to enhance nutrition products, services, and delivery systems towards improved effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. This guideline shall be used by local nutrition committees and by the national and regional evaluation teams. The MELLPI Pro covers two parts: (1) an institutional component that evaluates various organizational attributes pertaining to nutrition governance in local governance units; and (2) a human resource component that evaluates the management performance of frontline nutrition staff at the local level.
Meanwhile, NOIII Elton Pelegrino presented and discussed the MELLPI Pro Tools for Local Government Units (LGU) including the important tips when using the MELLPI Pro tool/s for LGUs, the General Mechanics, and the documents to prepare. He also presented the Awarding Ceremony which is the MELLPI Pro Awards Cut-off points and incentives for LGUs and LNFPs. These made the participants seem to be excited when hearing about the incentive and cash award for each category following the criteria.
To date, 197 local government units have been conferred the CROWN award. The CROWN awardees receive a cash prize of P500,000 and this CROWN trophy. The trophy’s design symbolizes the local nutrition committee’s burning desire for excellence in its quest for nutrition improvement.
Local government units who were able to maintain a score of at least 90 and 92 in the monitoring and evaluation of local level plan implementation (MELLPI) are conferred the 1st and 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award, respectively. For the year 2021, the CROWN Maintenance Awardees receive P100,000 for 1st-year maintenance, and P200,000 for 2nd-year maintenance, and this certificate of recognition.
At the end of the session, the participants thanked NNC9 for always providing technical assistance as well as for keeping them updated with regard to the nutrition programs of the National Nutrition Council. With this, NNC9 will continue to deliver technical assistance to our Local Nutrition Workers virtually.
NOI Kimberly Tanador, RND
