NNC leads validation of nutrition programs, promotes community well-being in Caraga
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET), led by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga, has commenced its annual Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Program Implementation Protocol (MELLPI Pro) across various local nutrition councils (LNCs) in the region.
The evaluation aligns with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028, serving as the NNC’s official system to assess how local government units (LGUs) and nutrition focal points implement national nutrition strategies. MELLPI Pro measures the efficiency, coverage, and impact of local initiatives while recognizing top-performing LGUs and nutrition officers.
Composed of evaluators from national government agencies (NGAs) and civil society organizations (CSOs), the RNET reviews the completeness and accuracy of local records to ensure the efficient delivery of nutrition services to communities.
Outstanding implementers will be honored at the annual Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC). Winners will represent the Caraga region at the national level, vying for prestigious accolades including:
Green Banner Seal of Compliance: Awarded to LGUs achieving at least an 85% rating, marking a baseline commitment to effective nutrition governance.
Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award: Given to LGUs sustaining excellence for three consecutive years.
CROWN Maintenance Awards: Bestowed upon LGUs that maintain high standards post-CROWN recognition.
Individual Distinctions: Awards for Outstanding Provincial, City, and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers and Program Coordinators, as well as the Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS).
Frontline dedication: Story of a BNS
The evaluation highlights the vital role of grassroots workers like Rhodora O. Rivera, a BNS from Barangay Tolosa, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte. Reflecting on her seven-year tenure, Rivera admitted that the job transcends its title.
“When I started as a BNS seven years ago, I honestly did not have much idea about the role and its impact on the community,” Rivera shared. “I even experienced challenges in terms of getting parents to participate in our activities. But as I saw how great the need for better nutrition was, especially for the children, I made it my personal mission to advocate for nutrition to improve their health.”
Barangay Nutrition Scholars serve as the first line of defense against malnutrition, monitoring children aged 0-59 months. Guided by the PPAN 2023-2028, they track stunting, wasting, and cases of underweight children, providing vital interventions such as growth monitoring, parental counseling, healthcare referrals, and supplementary feeding programs.
A collective mission
The PPAN 2023-2028 identifies malnutrition as a root cause of poor health and reduced economic productivity. By addressing nutritional gaps, the framework aims to lower the risk of chronic deficiencies and diet-related non-communicable diseases, directly boosting community well-being.
Vina Vargas, nutrition officer III of NNC Caraga, emphasized that success hinges on collaboration among NGAs, LGUs, frontline workers, and communities: “Together, let us continue investing in good nutrition to give every child a better chance at life, uplift the most vulnerable, and build a healthier, stronger, and brighter future for every Filipino,” Vargas said.
Nourishing the nation’s future
Ultimately, the fight against malnutrition is a foundational pillar in building a progressive Philippines. When local governments prioritize nutrition, they are not just filling plates-they are fueling the minds and bodies of the next generation of Filipino leaders, innovators, and workforce. Eliminating stunting and hunger breaks the cycle of poverty, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind due to preventable health issues. By investing in robust nutrition programs today, as mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the nation secures a more resilient, productive, and prosperous tomorrow. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
