The City Government of Isabela, through the City Nutrition Action Office, underwent the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) Protocol for Year 2024, LGU Category, September 22.
The assessment was facilitated by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) IX, together with the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team composed of NNC IX Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Nimfa Ekong, Nutrition Officer II Rowence Zorilla, Commission on Population IX Community Development Assistant Mary Jane Jocutan, and Nutrition Officer III Elton Pelegrino.
The evaluation reviewed the city’s nutrition programs, measuring their effectiveness and alignment with national standards. This process ensures that initiatives implemented locally continue to respond to the needs of Isabeleños, particularly children and other vulnerable groups.
Based on the 2024 Operation Timbang (OPT) results, Isabela City recorded a wasted prevalence of 1.60 percent and severely wasted prevalence of 0.82 percent. Stunting prevalence was at 2.76 percent, with 0.93 percent classified as severely stunted. Meanwhile, the city achieved an impressive 91.3 percent total OPT coverage, demonstrating strong implementation of nutrition-related interventions at the community level.
The MELLPI Pro is a tool used nationwide to evaluate how well local governments are implementing nutrition programs and policies. It highlights best practices, strengthens technical capacity, and ensures that interventions effectively improve the nutritional well-being of communities. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
