Villages’ nutrition plans monitored

LAOAG CITY — The Provincial Nutrition Council is close to completing its monitoring and evaluation of the local level plan implementation (MELLPI) and the Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (OBNS) in Ilocos Norte.

The council members, chaired by Dr. Marilyn Domingo of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), went around the villages in the province on June 5. Monitoring will end on July 12.

Ilocos Norte Nutrition Action Officer Elma C. Irapta and Provincial Nutrition Coordinator Cristine Caroy assisted the council in monitoring and evaluating the villages’ nutritional plans .

“The evaluation was designed to see if the nutrition plans were properly implemented and its impact on children’s health is positive,” Irapta said.

Under the MELLPI, a child’s health is validated through his or her weight and height, which should be proportional based on the national guidelines and child growth standards.

“This tool was institutionalized since 1978 wherein, its main objective is to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of local governments in planning and implementing local nutrition programs,” Irapta added.

The council also evaluates the performance of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) who are tasked to coordinate the delivery of basic nutrition services in their areas.

“Our BNS go through regular training together with the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) to make sure that they are properly guided in implementing their plans,” Irapta said.

Meanwhile, the top 5 winners of MELLPI and the search for the most outstanding BNS will be receiving a cash award and certificates and will represent the province in the regional or even in the national competition. (Cherry Joy S. Discaya-Garma)