MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte is considering CNN hero Efren Peñaflorida Jr. as the next chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Saturday.
"PRRD has expressed his desire to appoint somebody who hails from the poor and marginalized sector to the PCUP", Roque said in a statement.
Roque said according to the chief executive, "he wants someone who can contribute in solving the problems of the poor and activate pro-poor programs such as the one featured by CNN known for his “pushcart classroom."
A social worker and teacher, Peñaflorida was hailed CNN Hero of the Year in 2009 for his work in "Kariton Klasrum", a project that aims to make school accessible to Filipino street children through pushcarts as mobile classrooms.
According to Roque, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go has been tasked to look for Peñaflorida to "ask him regarding the chief executive’s offer for him to join the administration."
Duterte's decision to appoint Peñaflorida came after he ordered the firing of all commissioners of the urban poor commission over junkets and their supposed failure to hold meetings.
Duterte said dismissed PCUP chairman Terry Ridon traveled seven time since his appointment in September 2016.
Under Executive Order 82, the PCUP serves as the direct link of the urban poor to the government in policy formulation and program implementation addressed to their needs. (PNA)
