A young entrepreneur and DOST V SETUP beneficiary ventures in muscovado-based delicacies in Polang

a young entrepreneur and DOST V SETUP beneficiary ventures in muscovado-based

delicacies in Polangui, Albay
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. It is a sole
proprietorship business enterprise that produces and supplies muscovado sugar/block, syrup
and coco jam in the locality and nearby communities, Sorsogon and Cavite. It is the first
FDA-compliant and DTI-assisted and registered 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 P 30/kg. The muscovado
sugar and syrup are sold at P 35/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.

DOSTs continuing efforts through SETUP as its banner program contribute in developing the
local industries and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in partnership with the
academe, LGUs and other private organizations in the region, Sambitan Food and Delicacies
will surely satisfy anyones cravings for sweet and natural taste of native delicacies and are
available at the firms production site in Sta. Cruz, Polangui, Albay (P.O.Lucena/D.A.Pea,

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A young entrepreneur and DOST V SETUP beneficiary ventures in muscovado-based delicacies in Polang

DOST V/J.A.B.Elegado, PSTC-Albay).

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. It is a sole
proprietorship business enterprise that produces and supplies muscovado sugar/block, syrup
and coco jam in the locality and nearby communities, Sorsogon and Cavite. It is the first
FDA-compliant and DTI-assisted and registered 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 P 30/kg. The muscovado
sugar and syrup are sold at P 35/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.
DOSTs continuing efforts through SETUP as its banner program contribute in developing the
local industries and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in partnership with the
academe, LGUs and other private organizations in the region, Sambitan Food and Delicacies
will surely satisfy anyones cravings for sweet and natural taste of native delicacies and are
available at the firms production site in Sta. Cruz, Polangui, Albay (P.O.Lucena/D.A.Pea,
DOST V/J.A.B.Elegado, PSTC-Albay).

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