Who says that heroes are only those who possess superpowers? Anyone of us can be a hero in our own simple ways. Most of the heroes are hiding from behind. They simply do what is good and just for the benefit of the majority.

Like a hero who possesses good

qualities, Benjie Esquivel Barlizo, a Municipal Link (ML) of Manito, Albay sets good example to his co-workers and be a blessing to every individual he meets.

He may not able to pursue his priesthood as his first vocation due to a lot of hindrances but it does not stop him from serving the poor people.  On March 2012, he was employed in Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of Department of Social Welfare and Development which paves the way of spending his life in the service to the community.

Being ML, his main responsibilities are organizing and scheduling parent group assemblies, mobilization of resource, coordinate with barangay captains and focal persons of the program regarding issues and concerns on implementation.

He also administer social welfare indicator and do case management, seek logistical support for the Pantawid Pamilya activities and monitor other related activities in coordination with the Local Government Unit.  He worked closely with Municipal Social Welfare Officer in order to provide appropriate interventions to clients’ cases.

Apart from that, he still has other roles to play to the community, own family and friends. Each day brings him new lesson and satisfaction despite the difficulties his facing due to the hectic demand of the job.

Joy and fulfillment in his eyes can be seen in his actions. For him, each barangay he is handling is peculiar and they touched his life in their own special way. It also, brings him opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Benjie’s exceptional deeds is best seen in outsourcing resources for the conduct of Family Development Sessions (FDS) – a monthly activity being conducted under the program to empower and strengthen the relationship and ties among family members and the community.

In case beneficiaries were not able to attend the scheduled family development sessions, they are given another chance to comply with the conditions of the program by gathering them during Saturdays.

His sense of humor also helps gain the attention of the parent attendees. The inspiring sharing activity invites the beneficiaries to be active in the sessions and be diligent in attending their co-responsibilities to the program which, latter helps to transform the family’s welfare.

Notably, Benjie is one among the MLs who passionately and committedly serve the people. His dedication towards work greatly contributes to the exceptional performance of the Provincial Operations Office of Albay being included in the top three municipalities with highest compliance rate.

Also, he initiated the organization of parent groups in the barangay level by designating a system focal person who will help in facilitating the concerns, issues under grievance and updating of beneficiary profile. With this, it enables to develop leadership in each group. It also raised the awareness of the members and equipped them of the issues and concerns about the implementation. Furthermore, this made the role and functions of the parent leaders easy.

In finding solutions to issues that is hard to handle, he is the ML who is industrious enough to put his concerns in making feedback reports addressed to the person’s concerned. He is a man who never complains without his prior intervention. This simple ways truly creates an influence of positive change in the community and every individual he worked with.

As the saying goes “many are called but few are chosen” and Benjie may not be liked somebody or someone from the political limelight nor a superhero in the movie or novel but simply he is an ordinary man who does ordinary things in extra ordinary ways. A man guided by God’s principles and inspired by the people he serves, the man behind the success of the implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. With reports from Mae M. Loria