The Arroyo administration Monday hailed another Filipino conquest in the world stage when Efren Peñaflorida won as 2009 CNN Hero of the Year as President Arroyo, through her spokespersons, encouraged other Filipinos “to unleash the hero within us.”

In recognition of his noble endeavor of bringing education to poor children, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President is expected to confer the Order of Lakandula, one of the highest state honors, to Peñaflorida in Malacañang upon his return to Manila.

The President earlier bestowed the Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of Datu, on boxing icon Manny Pacquiao after the Filipino slugger captured his seventh world title in seven different divisions when he stopped Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas last November 14.

The Senate and the House of Representatives also hailed Peñaflorida’s feat.

Peñaflorida, who hails from Cavite City, bested nine other contenders for the hero award launched by CNN after getting the highest number of online votes. He received the prestigious award at the famous Kodak Theatre in Hollywood over the weekend.

"President Arroyo joins the entire nation in congratulating Efren Peñaflorida for having been named CNN hero of the year for his efforts to give Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through his pushcart education program.

“Efren has proven that any individual can help make a difference in the world," Remonde said in a statement.

Remonde also commended Peñaflorida for showing the world the best in the Filipino.

"Let each one of us unleash the hero within us by helping the next person as Efren said," he added.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the government is also ready to extend assistance to Peñaflorida to expand his "pushcart classroom” across the country.

Fajardo, speaking to reporters in the Palace, said the Department of Education could look into how it could “complement” and “widen” Peñaflorida’s project, which educate poor children and break the chain of gang membership.

Peñaflorida's education program, which supposedly highlighted the government's inefficiency to send children to school, is not a considered a slap on the Arroyo administration's face, according to Fajardo.

She said the education department, which is given largest budget every year to improve the quality of education, even welcomes any initiative from the private sector to complement its programs. Any Filipino can also contribute in his small way to the progress of the country, she added.

She said the electorate should also consider Peñaflorida's heroic endeavors in electing new government officials in next year's elections. She said voters should consider not only the “heart” of candidates but also the platform of governance.

“We just have to search within our hearts because there is a hero within us. Anybody could be a hero also. He should serve as inspiration to every Filipino,” she said.

In the House of Representatives, a resolution to commend Peñaflorida will be filed by Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., who was proud of his constituent’s achievement and recognition.

Peñaflorida bested nine other finalists chosen from 9,000 nominees from all over the world and won $100,000 which he will use for his work with the organization he put up to help change the lives of slum-dwelling children by diverting their attention from violent gangs and fraternities to education, community service and talent development.

Nueva Ejica Rep. Edno Joson said Peñaflorida deserves a commendation for being a “true role model.”

“’Yan ang tunay na bayani at dapat gayahin ng bawat Pilipino at kabataan. Dinaig niya si Pacman for being a true role model for us all,” Joson said.

An Waray Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel said Peñaflorida’s life must be taught in schools to inspire children to become heroes in their own right.

“The example he showed must be shared to schools. His story must be told to each and every student as this would encourage them to value the hard work as a main ticket to success and progress. It is also important that the youth must learn the beauty behind the unselfish attitude of our CNN hero in sharing his knowledge and blessings to less fortunate people,” Noel said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said Peñaflorida is “inspiration to everyone that they can make a difference in the lives of so many others.”

“At a time when so much is going wrong in this country and there is a tragic dearth of role models, Peñaflorida and his pushcart school have shown that there is hope. He has proven that even the most humble of efforts, when done sincerely and with the goal of helping others can go a long, long way,” Ocampo said. (With reports from Edmer F. Panesa, Hannah L. Torregoza and Madel R. Sabater)