Problems and Needs of the Jewelry Industry of Ilocos Sur

Abstract

A prospective business that has existed in Ilocos Sur long ago but has not been paid attention to is jewelry making.
Thus, this study was conducted in order to identify the problems related to the financing, production, and marketing ofjewelry which beset the operators/ owners/ workers of the jewelry business. Of the 40 owners/operators/workers, 38 were from Bantay; and two were from Candon. The greatest problem in financing was raising capital. As to production, the foremost problem was the increasing cost of raw materials. High competition and seasonal demandfor the product were two major problems along the marketing aspect. The jewelry operators/ owners jworkers expressed thefollowing needs: common raw materials purchasing, technical skills upgrading in servicing, linkage with GOs/ NGOs to act as liaison coordinating body to support the needs ofthe industry, technical skills upgrading in pricing, assistance in locating export market, common packaging facilities, and marketing assistance. By addressing the needs/problems besetting the owners/operators/workers of the jewelry industry of Ilocos Sur, further stagnation/decline in the performance of the enterprise could be abated. There are reasons for reviving the jewelry industry of/locos Sur. First, this business oozes with potentials and it could create more employment and bring social benefits through the government. Second, there is no way the /locanos will give up
their passion for "alahas". Jewelry is part of the Filipino heritage.