30/05/2026
Paranas hosts MELLPI PRO CROWN Evaluation Team
Last May 25 to 28, 2026, the Municipality of Paranas, Samar became the focus of a comprehensive national review as the National Evaluation Team arrived for the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI Pro) CROWN Evaluation.
The team brought together technical experts from the NNC Central Office, the Department of Health (DOH), and UNICEF to look closely at how local nutrition strategies are matching up with the goals of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).
The evaluation kicked off on the first day with a courtesy call to Municipal Mayor Hon. Elvira U. Babalcon, setting a collaborative tone for the multi day validation process. The Provincial Nutrition Office, headed by PNAO of Samar Ms. Ysabel Aquino, also attended the opening day to show solid provincial support for the evaluation. Working closely with Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Bernice Jessica A. Enguerra and NO II Carl Michael Sacramento, TKDSP—PNFP of Samar, served as the NNC Region VIII representative. Moreover, he managed coordinating, accompanying the evaluators through their desk reviews, and joined them during the intensive field validations.
The highlight of the evaluation occurred during the May 27 field visits, where the team saw Paranas' unique initiatives in action. The evaluators highly commended the municipality's award winning "Exchange Your Eco Bricks" program. By giving residents a way to trade tightly packed plastic bottle waste for essential rice and food packs, the LGU links environmental protection with immediate food security and malnutrition prevention.
The week wrapped up with valuable insights from both national and regional sides, with Ms. Ysabel Aquino and the Provincial Nutrition Office on the final day for the evaluation's closing. Mr. Retz Pol Pacalioga, Nutrition Officer from UNICEF’s health and nutrition sector, noted the solid governance behind the town’s programs, while Ms. Christine Jane Almira, Nutrition Officer II from the NNC Central Office Nutrition Surveillance Division, focused on how effectively the local activities are executed. From the health sector, DOH Representative Mr. Nikolai Estefano Villar expressed how obvious it is that the LGU takes its health and nutrition mandates seriously.
NNC 8 TKDSP—PNFP of Samar NOII Sacramento shared a message to close the activities, expressing genuine appreciation for the municipality's visible dedication to prioritizing the health of its communities through creative, sustainable local programs. NNC Region 8 and the National Evaluation Team extend their warmest gratitude to Mayor Elvira Babalcon, MNAO Bernice Enguerra, and the entire Paranas Local Nutrition Committee for their incredible hospitality and warm accommodation throughout the evaluation week. NNC Region 8 looks forward to seeing these local initiatives continue to safeguard families and highlight how economically beneficial nutrition is, not only in Paranas, but across the entire Province of Samar.
