01/08/2026
A HOME FOR SERVICE, A GATEWAY TO POSSIBILITIES
Congresswoman Kaka Bag-ao joins San Jose in marking another milestone toward a more progressive and welcoming municipality
There are buildings that rise from the ground, and there are buildings that rise from a vision.
In San Jose, the groundbreaking of the Municipal Executive Building marks more than the beginning of a construction project. It marks another step toward a municipality that is ready to serve better, welcome more warmly, and dream bigger.
JULY 31, 2026 β The Municipality of San Jose was honored by the visit of Congresswoman Arlene βKakaβ J. Bag-ao, along with DPWH DE Engr. Cyril Aranas, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Municipal Executive Buildingβa structure envisioned to house the Office of the Municipal Mayor and other offices of the Local Government Unit.
But beyond its walls and offices, the building carries a larger purpose.
It is envisioned not only as a house of governance, but also as a house of welcomeβa place where visitors, partners, officials, and guests of the municipality can be received with the warmth and hospitality that San Jose is known for.
Because for a municipality that seeks to position itself as the Gateway to the Mystical Paradise, governance and tourism must move together.
Kauban sa Kalambuan
During her visit, Congresswoman Bag-ao, reminded us that development is not something done for the people from a distance. It is something achieved with the peopleβthrough partnership, shared aspirations, and collective action.
And San Jose is grateful to have a leader who continues to walk alongside its communities in that journey.
The Municipal Executive Building is one manifestation of that partnership.
More importantly, Congresswoman Bag-ao also shared her vision for the next chapter of San Joseβs development: the construction of the Municipal Legislative Building, targeted for commencement by the last quarter of the year.
The future Legislative Building will house the Office of the Municipal Vice Mayor and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, providing a dedicated space for legislation, deliberation, and public service.
Together, these two buildings represent two essential pillars of local governanceβexecutive leadership and legislative serviceβworking toward one common destination: a stronger San Jose.
Beyond Buildings: Building a Tourism Future
Perhaps one of the most inspiring parts of the Congresswomanβs message was her emphasis on the future of tourism in the Province of Dinagat Islands.
She spoke of plans to further boost tourism across the province, recognizing the tremendous potential of its islands, communities, culture, heritage, and natural wonders.
And at the heart of this vision is San Jose.
As the Gateway to the Mystical Paradise, San Jose carries a unique responsibility: to become not merely a point of entry, but a place where the journey itself becomes part of the experience.
The Congresswoman even shared plans for the establishment of a Tourism Center, among other initiatives that can help strengthen tourism development and improve the experience of those who enter and explore the province.
For the Municipal Tourism and Community Affairs Office, this vision resonates deeply with the direction we are pursuing.
We believe that tourism is not simply about bringing people to a destination.
It is about creating experiences.
It is about giving travelers more reasons to stay, explore, appreciate, return, and ultimately fall in love with a place.
Discover More to Love. Discover to Experience.
This is where our tourism aspirations meet the broader call of the Department of Tourism:
Discover More to Love.
For those who arrive in Dinagat Islands, may San Jose be the beginning of that discovery.
Discover the stories behind our islands.
Discover the warmth of our people.
Discover our culture, heritage, flavors, landscapes, and adventures.
Discover the quiet beauty of a municipality that may be small in size, but immense in character.
And as visitors discover more of what San Jose has to offer, may they find even more reasons to Love the Philippinesβbecause every community, every island, every tradition, and every Filipino story adds to the beauty of our country.
And most of all, may they come to Love San Jose.
Because here, we do not simply open our doors.
We open our hearts.
A Future Worth Building
The groundbreaking ceremony reminds us that development is built one foundation at a time.
A municipal building.
A legislative building.
A tourism center.
Better facilities.
Stronger tourism infrastructure.
More opportunities for our communities.
And, ultimately, a more vibrant San Jose that can confidently welcome the world.
These are not merely structures of concrete and steel.
They are investments in service, dignity, opportunity, and possibility.
For the people of San Jose, these developments offer a glimpse of a future where government is more accessible, public service is more responsive, and tourism becomes an even stronger driver of livelihood and local development.
And as we build, we remain anchored on one important truth:
The best kind of development is development that brings people together.
Development that includes.
Development that empowers.
Development that creates opportunities.
Development that leaves no community behind.
Development where we are truly Kauban sa Kalambuan.
Thank you, Congresswoman Kaka.
On behalf of the Municipality of San Jose, the Local Government Unit led by Mayor Ruben J D. Zuniega, the Municipal Tourism and Community Affairs Office, and the people of San Jose, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Congresswoman Arlene βKakaβ J. Bag-ao for gracing this historic occasion and, more importantly, for continuing to believe in the potential of San Jose and the Province of Dinagat Islands.
Thank you for walking with us.
Thank you for believing with us.
Thank you for seeing beyond what San Jose is today and helping us envision what San Jose can become tomorrow.
As we build our buildings, may we also continue building people, communities, opportunities, and experiences.
And as we build the future of San Jose, may we remain steadfast in our role as the Gateway to the Mystical Paradiseβa gateway that welcomes, connects, inspires, and invites the world to discover more to love.
Discover More to Love.
Love the Philippines.
Love San Jose.
And together, with our people and our partnersβ
Kauban sa Kalambuan.
Thank you, Congresswoman Kaka Bag-ao, for being part of San Joseβs journey toward a brighter, more welcoming, and more progressive future.
