A new home for tourism governance in Central Luzon is taking shape in the City of San Fernando. On June 2, 2026, the Department of Tourism Region 3 officially broke ground for its new permanent regional office, a ₱45.39-million, two-story facility along Tourism Road in Barangay Calulut.
The groundbreaking ceremony was spearheaded by DOT Central Luzon Director Dr. Richard Daenos, with TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid and representatives from the San Fernando local government in attendance . The project is financed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), with construction to be carried out by Arise Construction and Development Corporation.
A Strategic Location for Tourism Governance
The new office will rise on a site made possible through a usufruct agreement between the DOT and the City Government of San Fernando, demonstrating strong local-national cooperation in advancing the region's tourism agenda . The location along Tourism Road — beside the CPOSCO and Negosyo Center headquarters — places the office in a strategic hub for government services and business support.
This project marks a significant milestone for the region, as it will be the first time DOT Region 3 will operate from a permanent headquarters designed specifically for its needs. Dr. Richard Daenos, DOT Central Luzon Director, emphasized that the new office will allow the agency to better coordinate tourism development initiatives across the seven provinces of Central Luzon.
Strengthening the 'Where Endless Stories Begin' Campaign
The construction comes as DOT Region 3 continues to promote its tourism campaign, "Where Endless Stories Begin," which highlights the diverse attractions of Central Luzon — from Pampanga's culinary heritage to Aurora's beaches and Bataan's historical sites. The new office will serve as the operational hub for these initiatives, helping to streamline planning, marketing, and coordination efforts across the region.
With a target completion date set for the first quarter of 2027, the DOT3 Regional Office is expected to further strengthen tourism development initiatives across Central Luzon while reinforcing the City of San Fernando's role as a key hub for regional governance and public service.
