TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Philippines – Officials and various department heads, including employees and workers, of the fast-growing town of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, were mobilized Thursday to heighten the various tourism areas in the town.

The once “war-torn” town in Lanao del Norte is now more economically stable, competitive, peaceful, and a well-developed town, true to its name “Kauswagan” which means progress in the local dialect.

The municipal government is now focusing more on the development of its wharf into a Marine-Eco Tourism Park with complete tourism facilities, and the nearby “Bandol Lagoon” to be an Eco-Tourism Reservation Park of the province.

Kauswagan is already known for holding the Christmas Tree Festival, Christmas Tree Competition, and “Hugyaw sa Kadagatan Festival” that already added to the region’s world-class tourism attraction.

Visitors come by the thousands and join locals to witness the colorful fluvial festival in the crystal clear waters of Iligan Bay.

Kauswagan was also transformed as the “Most Peaceful” and “Cleanest Municipality” of Northern Mindanao.

Also, part of the festival’s charms of Kauswagan town, which is now being targeted to be developed more, is the cultural dancers combining artistry and balance while performing on the fabricated bamboo raft called “gakit.”