21 February 2019, Cagayan de Oro City – 28 RNET members and representatives from provinces and highly-urbanized cities (HUCs) gathered at Marianne Suites in this city last 19-20 February 2019 for the Training of Trainers (TOT) on the Updated Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation Protocol.

The new M&E protocol, dubbed Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Protocol or MELLPI Pro, aims to monitor nutrition security at the local level based on LGU accomplishments and performance of nutrition workers.

The training introduced the background, key features, guidelines and mechanics of the MELLPI Pro, including hands-on session and simulation on the tools. The journey to nutrition awards and transition from the MELLPI tool to the MELLPI Pro were also presented. Leaps of change will commence this year as all of the LGUs in Northern Mindanao are expected to utilize the tool, except for regional and national contenders wherein both tools will be used.

The training team was composed of the three (3) RNET members who were trained during the 2018 national TOT on MELLPI Pro held last November 2018, namely, Dr. Arlita Amapola B. Minguez, RNET X Chairperson and CHED 10 representative, Ms. Telesfora G. Madelo, RNET X Vice Chairperson and DOH CHD-NM representative and Ms. Princess Christine D. Tababa, former Nutrition Officer II of NNC X.

The participants provided feedbacks and insights to clarify ambiguities and level off understanding of the tool.

Newly trained trainers of the MELLPI Pro, particularly the provinces, are expected to orient their respective municipalities and component cities, with assistance from NNC X. Three (3) batches of roll-out training will be conducted for component cities and municipalities from the end of February to mid-March 2019. (Sheena Marie G. Talle – NO II, NNC X)