{"id":4372,"date":"2026-07-26T13:28:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T13:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/?page_id=4372"},"modified":"2026-07-31T18:00:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T18:00:33","slug":"some-initiatives-and-plans","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/some-initiatives-and-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Some Initiatives and Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Some Initiatives and Plans<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Written By: Hsiao-Chi Wang<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0 \u00a0 The Markina shoemaking industry has been a vital help in boosting the Philippine economy. It provided opportunities for employment for many years and has reached around 300,000 workers contributing to an estimate of 65% of Marikina\u2019s total revenue. Nowadays,\u00a0 shoe companies and small businesses continue to produce high-quality footwear through local techniques such as the <\/span>mano-mano<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Despite the efforts made to preserve the tradition, the Marikina shoemaking tradition continues to face and endure the challenges affecting many shoemakers due to fierce competitions of cheap imports from other countries like China, as well as the rapid decline of shoemakers because of old age. Initiatives that were made before, such as the promotion of Marikina shoes at the international area by former First Lady Imelda Marcos intended to help promote further the local craftsmanship, eventually failed and were unable to protect the cultural heritage and preservation of the local shoemaking industry due to insufficient plans in sustaining the program.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 Despite the challenges brought by intense competition from influx of Chinese imports and foreign brands, and previous failures to lackluster execution of programs, the local government still continues to bring efforts by implementing adjustments to help local footwear brands to\u00a0 adapt to the tech-driven era while keeping intact with its cultural roots. Urged by the Senate Minority Leader Aquilino \u201cKoko\u201d Pimentel III, there is still a need for a call to action of better government support systems and programs in order to strengthen the stability of the local shoemaking industry. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u00a0 \u00a0 The future plans of the shoemaking industry in Marikina City revolves around incorporation of digital materials towards the shoemaking practices while keeping the cultural heritage intact. This can be done through the integration of technological methods such as digital platforms and resources into the craftsmanship, to ensure that shoemakers will have access to the needed materials that can aid them in their shoemaking process. This does not only include the materials needed in improving product efficiency but also training in entrepreneurship skills, intellectual property protection, and start-up incubation (DOST-PCIEERD, 2026).<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 Additionally, significant plans were made by the government to help equip the future shoemakers such as the younger generations with the skills needed for shoe making. In order to boost interest towards the shoe industry, implementing Marikina shoemaking courses within schools was seen as a necessary movement to equip them with the needed resources and help them bring a better understanding of the tradition. Notable figures in the shoemaking industry like Noel Evangelista the Head Manager of Cpoint have started coordinating with Mayor Maan Teodoro to further implement programs to help train the youth the needed skills in shoemaking (Canlas, 2025).\u00a0 Lastly the push of accessible workshops were also one of the other plans to help promote further the art of shoemaking. As mentioned by a Marikina shoe making designer, Joco Comemdador, being able to share knowledge and passion about shoemaking helps bring better chances of sustaining the industry. With these significant efforts from organizations, many shoemakers remain hopeful that the city can still live up to its title as the Shoe Capital (Business World, 2024).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u00a0 \u00a0Present initiatives such as the Filipino Footwear Design Competition and the Sapatos Festival have been implemented to not only raise awareness about the importance of preserving the cultural heritage, but also provide opportunities for shoe designers and shoemakers to showcase their creativity skills as well as celebrate Filipino craftsmanship.\u00a0 Other government organizations such as the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) have <\/span>launched programs such as the<\/span> Footwear Innovation Technology (FIT) to help provide the necessary materials for Marikina Shoemakers. Resources such as 3D shoe scanners, printers, sewing machines and shoe lasts have contributed in making the processes a lot more convenient in developing footwear. Overall, efforts in pushing through the needs of local programs continue to highlight the cultural aspect of shoemaking in Marikina city while also preserving its legacy and title as the country\u2019s \u201cShoe Capital\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 In short, the local government of Marikina has continued to implement the necessary steps in ensuring support systems and initiatives contribute further in revitalizing the Marikina shoemaking industry rather than letting the long-standing tradition slowly fade away. With such events that have been through collective action and institutional support, the future of the Marikina shoe making industry now relies on the interest among the newer generations. Their willingness to carry on the legacy that has been passed down and being able to recognize the cultural tradition ensures that shoemaking will not only be primarily seen as only an ordinary occupation practiced by the locals but rather also seeing it as a symbol of cultural pride that is worth appreciating. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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References:<\/p>

Alcober, N. (2025, October 27). \u201cMarikina\u2019s shoe industry fights back amid modern challenges\u201d. <\/span>DailyTribune.<\/span><\/i>https:\/\/tribune.net.ph\/2025\/10\/27\/marikinas-shoe-industry-fights-back-amid-modern-challengesMarikina\u2019s shoe industry fights back amid modern challenges<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Business World (2024, July 18). Marikina Shoe Designer Conducts Workshops for Local Shoemakers. Business World. <\/span>https:\/\/bworldonline.com\/bw-launchpad\/2024\/07\/18\/608679\/marikina-shoe-designer-conducts-workshops-for-local-shoemakers\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Canlas, R. (2025, October 22). Marikina LGU affirms support for local shoe industry amid rising imports. Manila Bulletin. <\/span>https:\/\/mb.com.ph\/2025\/10\/22\/marikina-lgu-affirms-support-for-local-shoe-industry-amid-rising-imports<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Cruz, M. (n.d.) \u201cMarikina Shoe Industry: Challenges & Impact\u201d. Scribd. <\/span>https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/document\/402708488\/effect-of-shoes-manufacturer-docx<\/span><\/a><\/p>

DOST-PCIEERD (2026, January 23), MARIKINA\u2019S SHOE INDUSTRY GETS SOLEFUL BOOST WITH NEW INCUBATION FACILITY, DOST-PCIEERD. <\/span>https:\/\/pcieerd.dost.gov.ph\/st-updates\/marikinas-shoe-industry-gets-soleful-boost-with-new-incubation-facility\/?__cf_chl_f_tk=dcafVz89CAUWmxXb5NeK0TWD0UbkYkSFwrpNCF5J24U-1783288490-1.0.1.1-EdF3AXbtgcqQ17qzuSsbqJOf4.OoOs4ckrcX95BDU5I<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Philippine Textile Research Institute (2025, April 15) \u201dMarikina Polytechnic College Inaugurates the Footwear Innovation Technology Research Laboratory\u201d <\/span>https:\/\/ptri.dost.gov.ph\/transparency\/visionmission\/9-transparency-seal\/679-marikina-polytechnic-college-inaugurates-the-footwear-innovation-technology-research-laboratory<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Some Initiatives and Plans Written By: Hsiao-Chi Wang \u00a0 \u00a0 The Markina shoemaking industry has been a vital help in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4372","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4372","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4372"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4372\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7017,"href":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4372\/revisions\/7017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/souelasstories.com\/iteration1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}