Support Marikina Shoe Industry

Marikina City is nationally known as the shoe capital of the Philippines. The Marikina shoe industry was estimated to be about ₱1 billion pre-pandemic. Since COVID-19, the shoe industry suffered as for the lack of customers and with schools that shifted to online learning.

To cope with the pandemic, Marikina shoemakers turned to online and live selling to increase sales.

Back in October 2022, the House of Representatives established a technical working group (TWG) to create measures for the revival of the Marikina shoe sector.

The Chair of the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia, organized the TWG for bills that plan to “strengthen the Philippine footwear, leather goods, and tannery industries and provide incentives and funds”  for the said industry.

Rep. De Venecia has said that the Marikina industry “suffers from a lack of an enabling policy environment which could take this industry to greater heights,”

Issues cited were the industry’s lack of capital for expansion and operation, as well as the lack of access to technology.

Rep. De Venecia added that “it is high time to pass measures that would make the country’s footwear, leather goods, and tannery industries competitive and a step ahead.”

Last year, the Marikina City local government made efforts to support the shoe industry during the pandemic with promotion through various holiday and summer bazaars.

Aside from this, the Marikina LGU provided financial assistance to sapateros and gave a 50% discount for shoe businesses for their business tax payments.

The Marikina shoe industry has great economic potential as back then, this sector would export its products to New York and other areas in the United States.

More support vis-a-vis the government should be tailored towards this sector, as well as local support by buying these products.

Sources: Philstar, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin