Shoe-related courses pushed in Marikina

In a bid to further boost what many believe is an ailing industry, several Marikina City officials have called on a government-run university to incorporate footwear-related subjects in its curriculum.

In Resolution No. 184, Series of 2011, which was recently approved by the city council, several lawmakers expressed the need to integrate subjects on shoe-making and design, among others, with technology-vocational educational and skills training courses at the Marikina Polytechnic College.

The ordinance was authored by Councilor Susana Magtubo.

“We have to train our next generation of shoemakers for continuity in line with our resolve to revive our primary industry,” Mayor Del de Guzman said. According to the mayor, the inclusion of these subjects in the school’s courses will equip students with the “skills and creativity” necessary to establish a shoe business in the future.

De Guzman added that the students’ “creative ideas,” mixed with the city’s “quality-made shoes” can help make the local shoe industry “globally competitive” again. Earlier, the Marikina City government organized a month-long shoe caravan that toured several cities in Metro Manila with the aim of reviving the local shoe industry.

In a span of one month, the caravan visited  Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Caloocan, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Antipolo, San Juan, Manila, Pasay, Cainta, Parañaque and Pasig, and generated more than P11 million in revenues.—Kristine Felisse Mangunay