DID YOU KNOW?

Long Before the Philippines Became a Nation, This Dam Was Already Sustaining Farmers in Misamis Occidental

By Bhal Abad Cabrera | Malindang NewsLine

PLARIDEL, Misamis Occidental — For more than 150 years, the Nazareno-Gamutan Dam and Irrigation System has done more than deliver water—it has sustained livelihoods, strengthened communities, and secured harvests for generations of farmers in Plaridel.

Its story began in 1872, when Nazareno Namocatcat, a migrant from Bohol, envisioned bringing water from the Langaran River to the municipality’s farmlands. Together with about 30 pioneering settlers, he built the first diversion canal using only stones, timber, and indigenous engineering techniques. Their determination laid the foundation of what is now known as the Nazareno-Gamutan Irrigation System (NGIS).

The group they established eventually became the Nazareno Gamutan Agricultural Development Irrigators Association (NGADIA)—recognized today as the first farmers’ organization in the Municipality of Plaridel.

More than a century and a half later, the irrigation system continues to irrigate nearly 1,000 hectares of farmland and serves more than 3,000 farmers, making it one of the most important agricultural lifelines in Plaridel. Every drop of water flowing through its canals represents productive rice fields, stable incomes for farming families, and greater food security for the community.

What makes the Nazareno-Gamutan Dam truly remarkable is not only its age but also the enduring tradition behind it. Long before concrete diversion structures existed, farmers known as the “Pahinante,” together with the Cabicilla Leaders, gathered before every planting season to rebuild the stone diversion dam by hand, ensuring that water reached every field. This unique tradition of cooperation has been passed down from one generation to the next and continues today under the stewardship of NGADIA.

In an era of climate change, unpredictable weather, and rising agricultural costs, the Nazareno-Gamutan Dam remains as relevant as ever. It is more than a historic landmark—it is a vital source of irrigation that helps farmers increase productivity, protect their livelihoods, and strengthen the local food supply.

Today, the Nazareno-Gamutan Dam stands as a living monument to Filipino ingenuity, community cooperation, and agricultural resilience. For over 150 years, it has continued to flow—not only with water, but with a legacy of perseverance that still nourishes the fields and the future of Misamis Occidental.

6200 Book fest concludes inaugural three-day celebration

  

The inaugural 6200 BookFest concluded its three-day run last July 19, bringing together publishers, authors, booksellers, readers, and creatives in Dumaguete City. 

Filled with book launches, literary discussions, workshops, performances, and publishing initiatives, the festival was held from July 17 to 19 primarily at Filinvest Malls Dumaguete.

Organized by the Arts and Design Collective Dumaguete (ADCD) and the Duma LitFest team in partnership with the Dumaguete City Government, the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and Futura Shores by Filinvest Land, the festival carried the theme "Across the Shores" and served as a host event for the NBDB's Philippine Book Festival in the Regions initiative. It is also the first regional book fair of its kind in the Negros Island Region.

The festival featured a marketplace of national and independent publishers and literary organizations, including Vibal Group, 8Letters Bookstore and Publishing, Anvil Publishing, Haring Ibon, Everything's Fine, Aklat Alamid, Sto. Niño de Cebu Publishing House, Central Books, Johnny and Hansel Publications, ABC Children's Books, DumAlt Press, Sands and Coral, Libraria, Romanceclass, Utopia, and Happy Unicorn. Authors Kate D. Pirate and Joanna Villamor also participated in the festival's programming and marketplace.

Programming included book presentations and launches, focused group discussions, film screenings, musical performances, workshops, and keynote sessions.

The first day opened with a series of book presentations and launches featuring Geraldine Solon's “Talk Smarter Live Better” series, Angela Fabunan Flores' “Migratory Notes,” the 2026 edition of the Sands and Coral literary anthology titled “Maps,” Anna Del Prado's “The Happy Unicorn,” and Koren Fontelo's “Tiny Hands, Growing Faith.”

On day two, the NBDB convened a focused group discussion attended by publishers, authors, booksellers, and creatives to discuss registration policies, publishing grants, and the role of Dumaguete as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature in the Philippine literary value chain. 

The day's program also included a screening of Lilas in partnership with UNESCO Creative Cities Network member Quezon City of Film, alongside book presentations by Central Books authors Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi, Dr. Armando A. Alviola, Atty. Marcelino C. Maxino, and Atty. Mikhail Lee L. Maxino. 

Moreover, independent publisher Anvil Publishing presented Ian Rosales Casocot's “The Last Days of Magic,” while DumAlt Press introduced its upcoming book of Dr. Justin Bulado during the afternoon program.

The festival's final day featured Andrea Panaligan's Zine Makeshop, a musical performance by Kate Torralba, the NBDB Primer on Registration, book presentations by Kate D. Pirate Books and Everything's Fine, a launch of the latest issue of Duma’s local food zine, Kaon-Kaon, and the launch of “Rosa Redux: Women from Southeast Asia,” edited by Katrina Stuart Santiago. 

Historian and author Ambeth Ocampo delivered the festival's closing keynote address before the official closing program, Panamilit: A Festival Closer.

Meanwhile, “BookFest: The Post-Script” events held on July 20 extended the festival's programming beyond its official dates. 

Ocampo led a meet-and-greet and booksigning session at LibrAria and delivered a guest lecture at Silliman University. The festival also hosted Pamahaw, a book signing event paired with a traditional Dumaguete breakfast at The Sala. 

The inauguration of 6200 BookFest marked Dumaguete City's first book festival following its designation as the Philippines' first UNESCO Creative City of Literature. 

Through partnerships between local and national literary organizations, the festival provided a platform for discussions on literature, publishing, and the role of creative communities in regional cultural development.

About Backpack Solutions, Inc.

Backpack Solutions supports ADCD and the Duma LitFest team as its marketing and content media partner. Backpack believes in 'content for good, of good'

www.backpack.solutions

Business Is Good, So Why Does Cash Still Feel Tight?

Goldwater Capital shares how PayNow helps SMEs access funds tied up in receivables to keep operations moving and support business growth.

Many business owners experience a frustrating situation.

Sales are coming in. Clients are placing orders. Projects are being completed.

On paper, the business is doing well.

But when it's time to pay suppliers, cover payroll, or purchase inventory, cash suddenly feels tight.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.

For many SMEs, the challenge isn't a lack of revenue, it's the wait between delivering the work and actually receiving payment.

A Familiar Situation for Many Business Owners

Many business owners run growing trading businesses that supply products to several corporate clients.

Business is steady. Orders come in regularly. Her clients are reliable and eventually pay on time.

The problem is that "eventually" can mean 30, 60, or even 90 days.

While waiting for payments to be released, the business still has expenses to manage.

She needs to replenish inventory, pay suppliers, cover operating costs, and prepare for incoming orders.

"Nabenta na namin. Na-deliver na namin. Pero hinihintay pa rin namin yung bayad."

It's a situation many business owners know all too well.

Revenue Doesn't Always Mean Available Cash

One of the biggest misconceptions in business is that strong sales automatically mean strong cash flow.

In reality, a company can have millions in receivables and still experience cash shortages.

This happens when:

- Clients pay on long payment terms

- Invoices are still being processed

- Collections are delayed

- New orders require upfront funding

- Operations continue while waiting for payments

Hindi naman lugi ang negosyo.

The money is already there– it's simply tied up in receivables.

When Waiting for Payments Slows Growth

For many growing businesses, waiting for collections can create a ripple effect throughout the company.

Without enough working capital, businesses may have to:

- Delay inventory purchases

- Postpone expansion plans

- Turn down potential opportunities

- Stretch operational budgets

- Slow down growth initiatives

Instead of focusing on serving customers and growing the business, owners spend valuable time worrying about cash flow.

Unlocking Cash From Existing Receivables

This is where receivables financing can make a difference.

Instead of waiting weeks or months for customers to settle invoices, qualified businesses can access working capital based on their receivables.

This allows companies to put their earned revenue to work sooner.

Whether it's funding inventory, paying suppliers, managing payroll, or supporting new projects, access to working capital helps businesses stay productive and competitive.

Helping Businesses Move Forward

Every business owner knows that opportunities don't wait.

A new client, a larger order, or an expansion opportunity can appear at any time.

Having access to working capital means businesses can respond faster and make decisions based on opportunity and not cash flow limitations.

For many business owners, it's not about borrowing because the business is struggling.

It's about accessing funds that are already on their way and using them now instead of waiting weeks or months for payment.

Kapag may available working capital, businesses can take on new opportunities, fulfill bigger orders, and keep operations running smoothly without putting growth on hold.

About PayNow

PayNow by Goldwater Capital is a receivables financing solution designed to help qualified businesses unlock working capital from outstanding invoices and receivables. By providing faster access to funds tied up in pending customer payments, PayNow helps SMEs manage cash flow, support operations, and pursue growth opportunities with greater confidence.

Because sometimes, the money your business needs is already earned. You just shouldn't have to wait months to use it.

About Goldwater Capital Inc

Goldwater Capital is a Philippine financing company committed to helping individuals and businesses bridge the financial gap between ambition and achievement. Through fast, fair, and technology-driven financing solutions—including business funding, salary advances, and education financing—we empower Filipinos to pursue opportunities, manage cash flow, and achieve sustainable growth.

₱630-M Worth of DA-Backed Projects Boost Misamis Occidental’s Agri, Infrastructure Drive

By Bhal Abad Cabrera | July 23, 2026

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – Misamis Occidental is set to receive more than ₱630 million in fresh national government investments following the approval of two major development projects under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), Governor Henry Sevilla Oaminal announced.

In a statement posted on his official social media platform, Oaminal said he traveled to Manila immediately after a week of major engagements in the province to personally follow up on priority proposals with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The governor’s visit resulted in the approval of a ₱350-million Integrated Coconut Processing Facility, which will soon rise in Misamis Occidental, and the ₱280.369-million concreting of the Sinara Bajo–Sinara Alto–Dinas–Katipunan Road in the municipality of Jimenez.

According to Oaminal, the newly approved projects are expected to accelerate agricultural development, expand economic opportunities, and improve road connectivity for farming communities across the province.

The Integrated Coconut Processing Facility is envisioned to strengthen the local coconut industry by increasing value-added processing, creating more livelihood opportunities for coconut farmers, and attracting agro-industrial investments.

Meanwhile, the road concreting project in Jimenez is expected to improve the transport of agricultural products, reduce travel time, and provide better access between upland barangays and commercial centers.

The approvals also complement the province’s ongoing rural infrastructure initiatives, including the ₱125-million Panalsalan–Cartagena–Luzaran–Dampalan–Macalibre Alto Farm-to-Market Road and the recently procured ₱150-million Landing–Lusot–Del Pilar–Baliangao Farm-to-Market Road, further expanding Misamis Occidental’s network of farm-to-market roads.

Oaminal expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. for their continued support of the province’s development priorities.

“Thank God for these blessings!” the governor said. “A product of Misamisnons’ hard work and unity, in line with our 5Ms Development Agenda.”

The governor’s announcement came after Misamis Occidental successfully hosted several significant events, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Plenary Assembly, the visit of a Qatari delegation, and the US BMSI Humanitarian Medical and Surgical Mission—activities that highlighted the province’s growing role as a destination for governance, international partnerships, and humanitarian initiatives.

With more than ₱630 million in newly approved investments, the provincial government continues to advance its vision of sustainable and inclusive development by strengthening agriculture, improving rural infrastructure, and creating long-term opportunities for Misamisnons under its 5Ms Development Agenda.

COMMUNITY VIGILANCE PAYS OFF | Ozamiz strengthens grassroots anti-drug campaign with new drug-cleared barangay

By Bhal Abad Cabrera | July 23, 2026

Cagayan de Oro CITY, Misamis Oriental — The fight against illegal drugs is often won not only through law enforcement but through communities that remain vigilant long after operations end.

That collective effort was recognized on Thursday as Barangay 50th District of Ozamiz City was officially declared a Drug-Cleared Barangay by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC). At the same ceremony, 29 other barangays successfully retained their drug-cleared status, reflecting the city’s sustained commitment to community-based anti-illegal drug initiatives.

The declaration and retention rites were held at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office in El Salvador City and were led by PDEA Regional Director III Alex Tablate.

Among those present were Atty. Francisco III Sulita, representing Mayor Atty. Sam Norman G. Fuentes; DILG LGOO Edgel Vedra; Ozamiz City Police Chief PMAJ Agustine Arazo; City Health Officer Dr. Maria Florelyn Sorongon Datu-Yrogirog; Barangay 50th District Punong Barangay Evelyn Recamadas; and members of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC).

Beyond the recognition, the milestone highlights the continuing collaboration among barangay officials, law enforcement agencies, health workers, and residents in preventing the resurgence of illegal drugs through education, monitoring, intervention, and rehabilitation programs.

Under the Kanunay Asenso Ozamiz administration, the city continues to strengthen its grassroots peace and order initiatives, recognizing that safe and drug-free communities are built through shared responsibility. With another barangay joining the roster and 29 others sustaining their status, Ozamiz reinforces its commitment to protecting families and fostering safer communities for every Ozamiznon.