Young entrep, a DOST V SETUP beneficiary ventures into muscovado-based delicacies

 

The highlands of Polangui, Albay is a known sugar cane growing area in the province. There is a huge demand for sugar cane in the production of muscovado and other muscovado-based delicacies due to its natural and highly nutritive value and increasing consumers' interest on healthy and organic foods. Having realized this great potential, Ms. Sheina Marie C. Sambitan, a 26 year old entrepreneur ventured in the production of quality muscovado and other related food items.

 

Ms. Sambitan established the Sambitan Foods and Delicacies in April 2008 as a sole proprietorship enterprise that produces and supplies muscovado sugar/block, syrup and coco jam in the locality and nearby communities, Sorsogon and Cavite. The company is the first FDA-compliant and One-Town-One Product (OTOP) firm in the municipality. The firm regularly participates in local and national trade fairs such as Ibalong Festival, Orgullo kan Bikol, Pinoy to Island conducted in the region and/or Metro Manila.

 

Muscovado, locally known as panocha, calamay or sangkaka is a type of unrefined, pure and non-centrifugal cane sugar in a semi-spherical block wrapped in dried banana leaves. Other product lines include muscuvado syrup and sugar. In terms of nutritional value compared to the more popular white sugar (has 99.5% sucrose), muscuvado has 187 grams of calcium, 58 grams of phosphorous, 4.8 grams of iron, 757 grams of potassium and 97 grams of sodium. Aside from this product advantage, the firm is committed to provide customers with quality and affordable muscovado products. A pair of muscovado block is sold at P30/kg. The muscovado sugar and syrup are sold at P35/kg and P90/gallon, respectively.

 

In her desire to upgrade the operation of its small-scale muscovado processing plant utilizing state-of-the-art processing technology, Ms. Sambitan availed of DOST-Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)s assistance for the project Upgrading Small-scale Sugarcane Muscovado Processing thru Modern Production Technology in August 2011. The improved process and product will enable the firm to meet the increasing demand for said products in the national and international markets.

 

On 11 January 2012, DOST-SETUP approved a funding support of P498,000 for the provision of sugarcane juicer/extractor, filtering machine, clarifying or liming tank, cystallizer or powdering machines, foot sealer, stainless table and automatic weighing scale.

 

DOST's continuing efforts through SETUP as its banner program contribute in developing the local industries and MSMEs in partnership with the academe, LGUs and other private organizations in the region, Sambitan Food and Delicacies will surely satisfy anyone's cravings for sweet and natural taste of native delicacies thar are available at the firm's production site in Sta. Cruz, Polangui, Albay (P.O.Lucena/D.A.Pe\xf1a, DOST V/J.A.B.Elegado, PSTC-Albay).