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.
鈥淲e have to train our next generation of shoemakers for continuity in line with our resolve to revive our primary industry,鈥� Mayor Del de Guzman said. According to the mayor, the inclusion of these subjects in the school鈥檚 courses will equip students with the 鈥渟kills and creativity鈥� necessary to establish a shoe business in the future.
De Guzman added that the students鈥� 鈥渃reative ideas,鈥� mixed with the city鈥檚 鈥渜uality-made shoes鈥� can help make the local shoe industry 鈥済lobally competitive鈥� 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聽 Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Caloocan, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Antipolo, San Juan, Manila, Pasay, Cainta, Para帽aque and Pasig, and generated more than P11 million in revenues.鈥�Kristine Felisse Mangunay