As an educator, Dr. Dionisio Dabalos Balite, Ph.D. has gone beyond the classroom, for which reason he was named one of the Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW) in 2003. He built six schools in the Visayas and Mindanao , the only Boholano who has accomplished this distinctive feat, and made much brighter the future of thousands of poor but deserving students. As a family man he raised, with his wife, Dr. Lilia A. Balite, Ph.D., seven highly successful professionals. As a lawyer and public servant, he has served his compatriots as a Mayor ( Valencia ), President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), which eventually catapulted him as Board Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. His two terms as Kagawad in the Provincial Board, where he is the incumbent Floor Leader, further made him a vital cog-in-the-wheel for the progress of Bohol .

Now, he is ready to embark on another challenge: to represent the Third District in the august halls of Congress. With his children now adequately equipped to man his institutions of learning, he has all the time to concentrate on his political pursuits. At his prime, Senior Board Member Balite has everything good coming his way. It was during the feast day of Santo last January 20 when I chanced upon him in his original home in Valencia, where he held court with a dozen of young leaders coming from the different municipalities of his district. Over freshly prepared SASHIMI, the interview progressed with no privacy. The group was reacting in varied manners to the questions raised and the answers given.

LMP: In your present term as Kagawad, people have noticed that you have the confidence of the Governor and other officials of the Provincial Capitol. What is its implication as far as public service is concerned?

DDB: It is in the line of succession in the Provincial Government. Since the year 2003 I have been holding the position of Senior Board Member. In the absence of the Governor and the Vice Governor, the former assigns me as OIC. There were times When the Governor assigned me OIC even if he is in the country, but outside of the Province. There was a time when even the Vice Governor was in Europe ; so I was appointed Acting Governor.

LMP: How long have you served the Province as a public servant? Is public service very fulfilling as far as you are concerned?

DDB: For me, I have been serving the public even as a private citizen through my educational pursuits, which is basically youth-oriented. This is my second term as Kagawad, but this is my fifth term to be with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, once during the time President Cory Aquino, then as Sectoral Representative. As ABC President. I was elected as regular; member of the SP in l995, then in 2001 and 2003. I also had a one-term experience as Mayor of the Municipality of Valencia , which opened my eyes to the needs of the common folks.

LMP: Is this one of the reasons why people say you are very popular among the masses in the barangays?

DDB: My heart goes to the barrio folks. I feel with them. That's why most of my leaders are in the barangays. They are the ones who come and consult with me about their problems. The sentiment of the people is that I could help them.

LMP: There must be hundreds of them who see you now here in Valencia for the fiesta. Is this not a big burden on your pocket, considering that you feed them for at least a couple of days, aside from the fact that in gatherings like this the drinks go with the food, and others who come from far places have their “bring-house and “pliti sa trak?”

DDB: It is part of my way of thanking them for sharing their time with me. From them I know the real scenario of the Third District of Bohol. I have to be with the grassroots to be able to serve them well. It is they who want me to run for Congress.

LMP: There are five (or is it six ?) running for Congressman in your district. Is this an advantage for you?

DDB: I hope it would be.

LMP: A top government official told me that if there is a free zone declared in your district, because most of the candidates would like to affiliate with the administration, it would be disadvantageous to the administration candidates.

DDB: I don't think so. I think the reverse is true. This is my thinking so far. I believe it would work to my advantage if many candidates are fielded. Naay panultihon sa mga tiguwang nga kon daghan ang kandidato daghan ang tigum. Lumba ta ug patigum.

LMP: I notice that this group we are exchanging ideas right now does not belong to the senior citizens' level. Except one who is a lawyer, the others are still to take the Bar in the near future; or finish their college courses. They come from different towns, I suppose, and are all bent to support you come what may. Is this the kind of backing you get all over the district?

DDB:Yes. I trust them, and they trust me. I am with them and they know it. Not like some candidates who enjoy life somewhere and only come during the election season. I am very concerned with my responsibilities, that's why I have to be with my constituents. Even at the SP, I am never absent, except when I am really sick, and that happens very rarely.. My supporters and I are a team in our goal for progress. I won't fail them.

LMP: What will be your top priority project in the next succeeding years?

DDB: Education. Education for the people is one best way to fight poverty, which is one main problem of the country today. Here, we have many poor families; but if one or two of the children can finish college, that is the start of one's outlooks that shape a much better future. A foundation could be formed for the purpose of encouraging the young to take up a college course.

The educator in Dr. Dionisio Balite is one driving force that has not shifted in its focus for economic betterment. His six schools speak well of his dream to make leaders out of the young generation The lawyer in Atty. Balite has been put to good use at the SP where there a few times a Kagawad or two do not know how to legislate. His business acumen may not have made him the richest man in the country, but people know that one time he was a working student who started from scratch. He has been serving the community for quite a time. It is his commitment to go on serving the people in another capacity. This time as Congressman of the Third District of Bohol.