“Civil servants are the backbone of government; honesty, truthfulness, willingness to serve needed”: BM Dangani urges Kalinga gov’t workers to embrace true meaning of public service

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Government workers should look beyond their positions and see public service as a responsibility to the people who rely on them, Provincial Board Member Alfredo K. Dangani underscored in his message to gov't workers.

Dangani, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committees on Reorganization, Civil Service and Human Resource Development, and Health and Sanitation, made the call following the kick-off of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary in Kalinga on September 3.

The celebration brought together government employees to recognize their contributions to public service. For Dangani, however, the occasion should also encourage civil servants to reflect on the deeper meaning of their work.

‘Internalize the real meaning of public service’

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Dangani said the anniversary should remind all government workers—whether serving in local or national offices—of the responsibility that comes with being a public servant.

He stressed that public service goes beyond reporting to work, holding a government position, or simply completing assigned tasks. Every duty performed by a government worker can directly affect the lives of the people they serve.

“Daytoy ket reminder kadagiti amin nga civil servant, haan lang elected kas nakunakun, nu diket aminen nga agtatarabaho ti gobyerno, local man wenno national… Kayat ko lang koma nga mainternalize da ti real meaning ti public service. Siak gamin ket how many years nakun ti serbisyo, medyo nainternalize tayo dayjay,” Dangani said.

Dangani brings years of government service experience. Before becoming a provincial board member, he served in the Philippine National Police and retired as a police brigadier general.

He said his long career in public service taught him that serving the people requires not only competence but also commitment and a clear understanding of one’s responsibility.

‘Civil servants are the backbone of government’

Dangani described civil servants as the backbone of government, noting that government employees play a crucial role in carrying out the day-to-day functions of government.

While elected officials formulate policies and make decisions, civil servants help translate these policies into actual programs and services for the public.

This, he said, was among the reasons he attended the civil service anniversary—not only as chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Civil Service but also as a fellow public servant.

“Uray kuna ta nga kastoy lang nga celebration, haan nga gapo ta siak ti chairman ti SP Civil Service, ket agtend ta latta tapno ti kasta ket makita ti kapada nga civil servant,” he said.

Honesty, truthfulness and willingness to serve

Asked what he could assure the people of Kalinga as an elected official, Dangani emphasized honesty, truthfulness and willingness to perform his duties.

He said he would continue fulfilling his responsibilities as a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and support programs and initiatives of the provincial and national governments that benefit the people.

“Umuna, ti maibaga tayo ti publiko ket I can assure that yung honesty tayo and truthfulness tayo, and our willingness to perform our duties and responsibilities bilang tagapanday iti linteg as member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Second, diay kina-supportive tayo ti anya man nga aramid iti provincial government and national government,” he said.

For Dangani, being an elected official does not place him above the responsibilities expected of other government workers.

Whether an employee or an elected official, he said, every public servant should be guided by honesty, responsibility and genuine concern for the people.

His message underscored the significance of the Civil Service Anniversary—not merely as a celebration of government workers, but as an opportunity to renew their commitment to the people they have sworn to serve.