PALO, Leyte – The National Nutrition Council Region 8 (NNC) has extended technical assistance to the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) of Hilongos, Leyte in preparation for the upcoming Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) by the Provincial Nutrition Evaluation Team (PNET).

RNPC Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. together with Development Management Officer II for Early Childhood Care and Development, Ms. Annabel B. Limbagan, reviewed documents and how the MNC is compliant to the various set of indicators of the MELLPI.

Last year, the municipality of Hilongos bagged the Green Banner Seal of Compliance both at the provincial and the regional levels.

MNAO Edward F. Lora was also awarded the most coveted Outstanding Local Nutrition Focal Points (LNFP)- MNAO category both at the provincial and regional levels.

The Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) recommended MNAO Lora at the national level but was short of the needed percentage score but nonetheless still got 90% score.

Meantime, their Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) of Barangay Central in Poblacion also make it as Outstanding Provincial BNS for Leyte province. BNS Angelita Relente received certificate of recognition and cash award.

Moreover, NNC8 organizes the Buddy System for Improved Nutrition Outcome (BSINO). The BSINO is a modification of Nutrition Shepherding, where good nutrition performing MNC/LGU mentors and coaches challenging MNC/LGU’s nutrition program implementation.

As first buddy system, Hilongos MNC coaches and mentors MNC of Merida, Leyte.

SB Committee on Health, Nutrition and Sanitation Hon. Bernadette Moran- Nerves together with MNAO Edward F. Lora and other members and nutrition staff gladly shared their best practices and processes to Merida,Leyte MNAO Ernesto Pening.

On the other hand MNAO Pening also shared to Hilongos MNC. Hilongos, Leyte SB Secretary Ms. Catherine A. Tabular shared her expertise in drafting policies and plans.

Furthermore, NNC 8 official and staff gladly moderated, mentored and coached the two MNAOs on how to better plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate their respective nutrition plans.

The NNC 8 hopes to document the process of the buddy system and replicate it with other municipalities, cities, and provinces.

The buddy system will not replace the Nutrition Shepherding (NS)program of NNC. The buddy system aimed at expanding mentoring and coaching mechanisms not covered by the (NS) and to cover more LGUs. #RNPC-CPD