THE WELDING INDUSTRY IN BILIRAN PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES

This study assessed the status of the welding industry in Biliran Province. Findings of the study highlighted in detail the characteristics of the welding shops, their owners, problems encountered, future plans, and their service status through the years. Facilities of the welding shops were moderately available (OWM=3.3); and supplies and materials were available (OWM=3.4). Shop personnel were sufficient (OWM=3.5); and location of shops was generally much accessible. Working capital of majority of the welding shops ranged from 15 thousand pesos to 50 thousand; labor wage rates from 40 pesos to 300, depending on the type of work; license requirements were strictly observed by all but without accreditation or linkage. Majority of the welding shop owners aged between 46 and 55; all of them male and married. Majority of them were vocational graduates; several finished a college degree while a few completed high school only. While a few had a certificate of competency from NMYC or TESDA, the majority were simply welders by experience. None had any additional specialized training. Most critical to all the welding shops was the problem of brown out; lack of materials in hardware stores and distance from the source of materials were a felt problem to majority of the shops. The welding shop owners were more of less unified in their future plans: to become a contractor in a big project in the government; to expand the existing shop; to procure a service vehicle; to accept welding jobs outside the province; and to engage in automotive repair. The service status of the shops rose from a provider of mere welding jobs to a builder of vehicle bodies and residential steel gates and window grills.