The Bases’ Saccharine Story

The municipality of Polangui in Albay is known for its sugarcane industry. With its arable land for growing sugarcane, no wonder Polangui was gradually known as a hotbed for saccharine products. One of the most popular products is muscovado sugar.

Among the three producers of muscovado in Brgy. Balanga, Polangui, Albay is Arim’s Muscovado Milling Facility. It is owned and managed by couple Maricel and Arnel Base. Although their facility was established only in 2010, the Bases have been in the sugarcane industry since 1997.

Maricel is a member of Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A microfinance NGO) since 2007. She is among the first members of CARD, Inc. in their barangay. Now a full-time entrepreneur, Maricel looked back on her family’s journey in the sugarcane industry.

Said Maricel, business had never been a priority for their family before. “I first worked in the office, while my husband was a driver,” shared Maricel. However, the couple’s meager wage was not enough to cover their family’s expenses. And so she ventured into a business that their community is known for.

In 1997, the Bases ventured into the business of sangkaka or panutsa (panotsa/panocha). Panutsa is a solid, brown-colored unrefined cane sugar. It is molded in báo (coconut shell) wrapped in banana leaves. Panutsa is one of the major agricultural products of Polangui, Albay.

Shared Maricel, they learned about making panutsa from her husband’s aunt. “Since we have all the available means to do it – knowledge and raw materials – we decided to push through with the business,” narrated Maricel.

With a small capital, Maricel and her husband began their business of panutsa. They sold panutsa in the local markets in their barangay.

Then came 2007 when Maricel sought membership from CARD, Inc. After learning of the products and services of the institution, Maricel acquired loans to help augment their capital in producing panutsa. Since then, CARD, Inc. has been their family’s go-to partner in their business.

Three years later, Maricel learned from a co-member and friend Mary Jean Sarilla that she is now in the muscovado business. Maricel was told that Mary Jean was offered by CARD-Business Development Service Foundation, Inc. (CARD-BDSFI) if she would like to learn producing muscovado sugar. Prior to this, Mary Jane is also one of the producers of panutsa in their barangay.

This prompted Maricel to venture in the same business. She applied for a loan to start her own muscovado business. Months later, CARD-BDSFI sent Maricel’s husband, together with Mr. Sarilla, to Ilocos Sur for a training on muscovado production.

With the help of CARD-BDSFI, the Bases’ business has grown into what it is today. The institution has assisted them in the building of their facility, as well as the acquisition of their equipment. Above all, CARD-BDSFI has expanded their horizon as they were taught on the process and production of muscovado, now an in-demand business in their community.

“Without CARD-BDSFI, perhaps we might not have learned of producing muscovado. Through the institution’s assistance, we have developed our products,” reflected.

Said Maricel, ever since they have partnered with CARD-BDSFI, their profit from both panutsa and muscovado increased. From their initial sales of PhP18.00 per pair of panutsa, they are now earning PhP40-PhP55. From wet markets at their barangay, their products are now sold at malls and supermarkets not just in Polangui, but in Camarines Norte and Daet, and in farther places like Manila, Batangas, Quezon, and Laguna.

Beyond these monetary successes, Maricel is grateful for the opportunity that CARD-BDSFI has given their community.

“Our business has not only helped our family. It has also given me the chance to be of help to other people,” said Maricel. All employees in Armi’s Muscovado Milling Facility are members of CARD.

The Armi’s Muscovado Milling Facility is one of the partner facilities of CARD-BDSFI and Mga Likha ni Inay in producing muscovado sugar. Their product is sold at all Mga Likha ni Inay outlets in San Pablo City, Laguna, as well as in partner malls and supermarkets.