IF elected president, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso will revive the shoe industry in Marikina City and his strategy calls for the national government to procure locally made shoes for public school students and government employees.

“Bibilin ng gobyerno ang mga sapatos. ‘Yung mga sapatos nila dapat bilin ng gobyerno katulad ng ginawa ni Congressman Del De Guzman na batas. ‘Yung mga sapatos sa military, sa pulis dito galing lahat. Sana ganun na rin sa mga eskwelahan, sa government offices,” Moreno said.

The Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate is referring to Republic Act No. 9290 or An Act Promoting the Development of the Footwear, Leather Goods and Tannery Industries Development which was principally authored by Marikina Rep. Del De Guzman, who was also a former city mayor. R.A. 9290 recognizes that the footwear, leather goods and tannery industries have the potential to generate employment through their integrated development, and increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings through exports and import substitutes.

This is in line with the policy of the State to support, promote and encourage the growth and development of the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) belonging to these industries.

Moreno, along with his vice-presidential candidate Dr. Willie Ong and Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bets Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison, was in Marikina Wednesday where they visited the Gibson Shoe Factory and held an informal dialog with shoe manufacturers and workers.

A 100% Filipino-owned shoe manufacturing company from Marikina, the Gibson Shoe Factory traces its roots to Gibson’s Shoes, a mid-1940 entity originally founded and established by Gavino Cruz and Ramona Salvador.

Its mission is “To supply high performance footwear for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and industries using cutting-edge technology and state of the art construction for customer satisfaction.”

“Nakaka-proud maging Pilipino no?” Moreno commented while looking at the process on how the company makes its shoe products. Marikina is known as the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines.” It is home to the Museo ng Sapatos and boasts of crafting the biggest pair of shoes recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Marlon Purification