Duterte wants CNN Hero of the Year awardee Efren Peñaflorida to lead PCUP

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte wants Efren Peñaflorida, a 2009 CNN Hero of the Year awardee known for his efforts in educating kids in slums, to head the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor.

This was confirmed by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

According to Roque, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go has been tasked to look for Peñaflorida, who started the “Kariton Klassroom” to bring education to poor children.

In 2009, Peñaflorida was selected as CNN Hero of the Year after getting the highest number of online votes, which reached 2.75 million in seven weeks.

The teacher from Cavite City bested nine other contenders from different countries. He received $100,000 cash to continue his work with his group, Dynamic Teen Company, according to CNN.

Peñaflorida said he was occasionally bullied and beaten by street gangs, which prompted him to decide to come to the aid of street children and rescue them from poverty and neglect through education.

PCUP, which was formed in 1986 through Executive Order No. 82, is tasked to coordinate with other agencies to ensure the speedy implementation of pro-poor policies and programs.

Duterte’s decision to appoint Peñaflorida came after he fired all commissioners of the PCUP because of alleged unnecessary trips and their supposed failure to hold meetings. 

According to the president, dismissed PCUP chairperson Terry Ridon traveled seven times since being appointed in September last year.

But Ridon maintained that all foreign trips made by officials of the agency were authorized by Malacañang and that they did not take part in so-called junket trips.