CALASIAO–Pandays, or blacksmiths, from this town recently received funding assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Region I and the local government unity (LGU) to help preserve and develop their craft.

The Aliguas Blacksmith Workers Association (ABWA) based here were given P317, 250 by DOLE while the municipal government has committed a P79,312 as counterpart.

Labor Communications Officer Arly Valdez said the fund will keep the pag-papanday trade, a traditional craft and livelihood in Calasiao, mostly involving the production of bolos (big-sized knives) and swords.

“It is an occupation which is even older than the legend of Filipino comic character Panday,” said Joel Magalong, ABWA president.

The industry, centered in a community named after the craft, Sitio Pandayan located within Barangay Gabon, started before World War II in the neighboring town of Binmaley and was passed on through generations.

Magalong calls it a “golden inheritance” for the 83 members of ABWA, which was organized and registered with DOLE-Region I in September 2011.

DOLE Regional Director Grace Ursua said the support will also bring together DOLE’s social partners including the local government of Calasiao and its Public Employment Services Office (PESO), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“We hope to see this local industry transform into a world-class enterprise, not only in terms of its products, but through the institutionalization of decent work in the workshops of our blacksmith workers,” said Ursua.

The project will also help expand the workers’ access to social protection through orientations on PhilHealth and the Social Security System. (PIA-PangasinaN/AMM)

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