A resolution congratulating Filipino street educator Efren Peñaflorida for being awarded as “2009 CNN Hero of the Year” was passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.

Authored by Councilor Catalino Alisbo, the resolution said Peñaflorida, 28, of Cavite City , received an international recognition for educating street children by starting the “Pushcart Classroom” in the Philippines as an alternative to gang membership.

Based on the CNN website, Peñaflorida was selected among 10 finalists after getting the highest number of online votes which reached over 2.75 million in seven weeks, it said.

He created the Dynamic Teen Company to offer his classmates an outlet to lift up themselves and their community, and for the past 12 years, he and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living in the streets, the resolution added.*CGS

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