Ormoc City has the largest sugarcane plantation. At present, the city belongs to the multi-billion peso industry. One of their products is muscovado sugar. The residents here call it panocha, calamay, or sangkaka. It is a kind of unprocessed, pure, and non-centrifugal cane sugar draped in withered banana leaves in sphere shape.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program’s (SETUP) venture in Eastern Visayas is now reinventing the poor man’s sugar to rich man’s sweet pot. Muscovado in Ormoc will help the people recuperate the sugar industry. According to DOST Region 8 Director Edgardo Esperancilla, the agency will be providing trainings and seminars, thru the request of 4th District-Leyte Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez, to the Ormoc residents. This undertaking will assess the needs of the people in sugarcane farming. Since Filipinos had go back in eating organic products, there is a great demand of muscovado-based delicacies because of its natural and healthful benefits.
Muscovado has 187 grams of calcium, 58 grams of phosphorous, 4.8 grams of iron, 757 grams of potassium, and 97 grams of sodium. The product will also help Ormoc people to increase their income thru Muscovado. They may sell a muscovado block for P30/kg and its sugar and syrup at P35/kg and P90/gallon.