South cotabato: A national awardee of the government’s 2025 Gawad Dangal ng Bayan Award on Tuesday urged co-workers in government to serve more than what their jobs require. Romel Tison Evangelio, an Administrative Aide III (Driver I) from South Cotabato, said serving the provincial government with dedication and genuine service is rewarding.

According to Philippines News Agency, working beyond office hours, putting in extra time for his co-workers in the provincial government, and taking on tasks that others would not dare to do made Evangelio one of this year’s Civil Service Commission (CSC) Gawad Dangal national winners. The Gawad Dangal ng Bayan is given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional acts of public service and consistently maintain ethical conduct in line with Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

‘Through his heart, integrity and excellence in service to the people, this Lingkod Bayani has stood as a model of honesty and dedication in public service,’ the South Cotabato provincial government said in a statement Tuesday. Evangelio, 45, was the regional winner of the CSC search for Dangal ng Bayan awardees in the Soccsksargen region.

‘What I am doing is extra work, but I don’t expect additional payment or any award or reward. I am happy with what I am doing because the people I helped gave me a beautiful smile. That’s already a huge compliment,’ Evangelio said in the vernacular in an interview on Tuesday. Soccsksargen comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Sarangani, and the cities of Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and General Santos.