Spatial Distribution, Socioeconomic Profiling, Income Assessment, and Production Determinants of Panday (Blacksmith) Makers in the Municipality of Badiangan, Iloilo

Pandayan is one of the most noble, traditional, and enduring indigenous crafts in the Philip pines, particularly in marginalized rural areas. It provides a vital source of livelihood, cultural identity, and essential agricultural tools for rural communities. This study examined the spatial distribution, demographic profile, household characteristics, and livelihood conditions of panday workers in the Municipality of Badiangan, Iloilo. Twelve panday respondents were purposively selected and surveyed using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and geographic coordinate recording. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to analyze spatial, demographic, household, and livelihood variables. Results revealed panday workers were spatially clustered within a narrow geographic and altitudinal range in Barangay Bingawan. All respondents were male and married, with educational attainment ranging from elementary to secondary levels, and all relied solely on panday-making as their primary source of income. Household characteristics were dominated by nuclear family structures with moderate household sizes, indicating strong household dependence on panday-making, reinforced by more than 15 years of work experience among respondents. Agricultural tools—particularly bolos—comprised the main products, while marketing was primarily conducted through direct selling and local market channels. Although panday-making remains economically viable for some respondents, overall livelihood vulnerability persists due to limited productivity, an aging labor force, and constrained market access. The study concludes that panday-making in Badiangan is a culturally significant yet economically fragile indigenous livelihood. Targeted interventions focusing on youth participation, the adoption of appropriate technology, product diversification, and market development are essential to ensure the sustainability and continuity of this traditional craft.