Shoe caravan fetches P11M in sales

After a monthlong tour of Metro Manila, sales generated from the shoe caravan of the city government of Marikina have reportedly reached more than double the original target.

Mayor Del de Guzman said that the revenues from the caravan, which showcased the products of 30 participating local shoe manufacturers, reached more than P11,642,002, or more than three times the government’s P4 million-goal.

The caravan, which officially ended on Nov. 18, was part of the Sapatos Festival launched by the city government early October, which aims to revive what many have come to regard as an already-ailing shoe industry.

In a span of one month, the caravan visited the cities of Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Caloocan, Quezon, Taguig, Pateros, Muntinlupa, Antipolo, San Juan, Manila, Pasay, Cainta, Parañaque and Pasig.

“We are very happy with the results … We are thankful to the LGUs in Metro Manila we visited (because) it helped our shoe makers promote and sell their products,” De Guzman said.

Earlier, Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said that he would order thousands of pairs of shoes to be given away as Christmas gifts to city hall employees.

The mayors of several other cities likewise expressed the same intent.

In the first week alone, the shoe manufacturers reportedly generated P2,365,762 in sales, a figure that increased to P3,091,089 in the second week.

“… We have proven that Marikina is still very trusted when it comes to quality-made shoes,” De Guzman said.