The National Nutrition Council XII is almost on its way towards full dissemination in the region on the new monitoring and evaluation tool----Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Protocol or dubbed as MELLPI Pro. The updated system replaces the old MELLPI tool to be used in appraising the progress of the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) at the local level.

The first batch of the training was conducted last March 4-5, 2019 at Cinco Niñas, Koronadal City attended by 12 participants coming from the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Team and nutrition workers from Sarangani Province. Batches 2 and 3 were conducted subsequently on March 6-7 and on March 11-12 at Sun City Suites, General Santos City attended by 15 and 14 participants respectively. Batch 2 participants were the nutrition workers from the cities of Tacurong, Koronadal and Gen. Santos and from the South Cotabato Province together with the nutrition staff from its four (4) municipalities. Whereas, batch 3 was participated by Kidapawan City and 10 municipalities of Cotabato Province.

In line with the PPAN requirements, MELLPI Pro was conceptualized and developed not only to monitor nutrition security at the local level based on the LGU’s accomplishments, but to also further assess the performance of the nutrition workers.

The new tool also includes monitoring outcomes among pregnant mothers, in addition to infants and young children as part of the PPAN’s strategic focus on the first 1000 days.

The training team headed by NPC Latonio, were facilitated by NO III Flores, NO II Aurel and Ms. Jea Girl Malacad from DSWD XII, who were products of the training of trainers conducted last November 2018 in Manila.

With the 2-day training, the participants were expected to know the components and key features of MELLPI Pro, the steps and processes to be followed, the use of the new system and the interpretation of the MELLPI Pro results through lecture,        hands-on training and conduct of simulation exercises. Guidelines on the journey to nutrition awards was also discussed along with the sharing of experiences at the course of the training.

NPC Latonio was glad that as far as the roll-out goes, the participants generally embraced the new tool positively with feedbacks of a much easier and systematic procedures than the old tool.

On the otherhand, the last batch of the roll-out training is set on April 2-3 in  Gen. Santos City scoping Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces together with the remaining LGUs who were not able to join on the previous batches. (DPAurel/AMFlores)