Marikina City shoe industry stakeholders have refuted claims that the local government has done little to support them, asserting they have received substantial assistance under the leadership of Mayor Marcy Teodoro.
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“Iyong industriya ng sapatos sa Marikina, tuluy-tuloy naman iyan simula nung hinawakan ni Mayor. Una, sa mga bazaar tapos iyong pagpunta naming sa iba’t ibang lugar, binibigyan kami ng lahat, libre, wala kaming binabayaran,†Nick dela Paz, Philippine Footwear Federation Inc (PFFI) president, said.
The Marikina-based PFFI is an umbrella organization that represents the country\’s footwear industry, from manufacturers, retailers, cooperatives and allied industries.
“Iyong suporta niya sa amin talagang walang naging problema. Mapunta kami sa Baguio, mapunta kami ng Sablayan, mapunta kami sa Muntinlupa, sa parte ng Pateros, at Laoag. Lahat po iyan libre, wala kaming binabayaran. Full support siya sa amin,†he added.
Shoe industry refutes news reports
They also slammed online news sites for not reaching out to them before publishing reports, which they said unfairly portrayed the local government as having done nothing to support the shoe industry.
“Parang kaming magsasapatos, walang nangyari sa amin,†Tony Andres, PFFI chairman Emeritus, stressed.
“Sana bago sila nagsulat niyan, kinausap nila muna kami kung talagang totoo. Binanatan nila agad, e mali. Iyong kinausap nila, hindi naman naming masyadong ano iyon. Bakit hindi nila kami kinausap?†dela Paz said.
“Dapat ang in-interview nila iyong matagal nang magsasapatos,†Marylinda Magbag, PFFI treasurer, pointed out.
Christmas, school opening bazaars
Since he assumed the post, Teodoro has facilitated numerous bazaars, including those during the Christmas season and school openings, to help boost their income and expand their market.
“Malaking bagay iyon (bazaar) kasi iyong mga manggagawa namin, sila ay nabibigyan namin ng gawa dahil mayroon kaming bazaar. Bago dumating ang bazaar, kailangan namin ng sapatos. Kaya iyong manggagawa namin, continuous ang gawa nila. Hindi sila nawawalan ng gawa,†Magbag said.
Markets expand through online market
Since 2021, the industry has earned P94 million in sales from bazaars and roadshows in various parts of the country. The initiative also allowed them to expand their market through individuals interested in reselling their products online.
“Nakagaling din ang Shopee, Lazada, kasi nagkaroon ng online. Ang lakas,†Magbag said.
Teodoro stood by shoe industry during COVID-19 pandemic
While they admitted that the shoe industry, like other businesses, was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, they emphasized that Teodoro never left their side.
They said Teodoro ensured that all shoemakers were vaccinated against the virus, not only from Marikina but also from nearby towns such as Antipolo.
“Naka-schedule sa school. Pinapunta niya lahat ng magsasapatos para ma-vaccine. Nung COVID, talagang active na active siya sa pagtulong,†Cecille Lazaro Flores, PFFI Secretariat, said.
“Bukod doon, nagbigay siya ng mga bigas tsaka pinrioritize sa financial assistance. Kahit na wala kaming gawa, tumutulong pa rin siya sa amin,†dela Paz added.
Ordinance for shoe industry
They also thanked Teodoro for providing the shoe industry with tax breaks through City Ordinance No. 110 Series of 2021, allowing them to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
“Nagkaroon ng kami ng dialogue kay Mayor tungkol sa tax. Binigyan kami ng incentive, ang lahat ng magsasapatos, tungkol sa tax ng industriya ng sapatos,†Andres said.
Free office space
Teodoro also provided shoe industry stakeholders with free office space in the Legislative Building, giving them a dedicated venue to conduct business and coordinate their efforts.
“Tsaka iyong Legislative Building, dahil iyong ibang asosasyon walang opisina, naglaan siya ng isang floor, nandoon kami, nandoon iyong iba’t ibang organization ng Marikina. Hindi lang PFFI, mayroon ding iba doon na binigyan niya ng space, walang renta rin iyon, para may opisina ang bawat asosasyon,†Flores said.
Marikina clans back Teodoro
More than 40 Marikina City clans have expressed their full support for Mayor Marcy Teodoro and other local officials under preventive suspension, hoping for their exoneration from the charges filed against them.
“Ang Samahan ng mga Angkan sa Marikina ay labis na nababahala sa mga kaganapan sa ating lungsod noong nakaraang linggo. Nais naming ipaabot kay Mayor Marcy at sa lahat ng kanyang mga kasama ang aming buong suporta at panalangin na mabigyan sila ng makatarungang hatol sa kasong kinakaharap nila ngayon,†said Roan Santos, the group’s president.
The group denounced what it described as \”dirty politics\” being employed by Teodoro’s opponents to tarnish his reputation, including the filing of what they claim are baseless charges against him.
M4GG calls for transparent process
The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), for its part, called for a fair and transparent hearing process regarding Teodoro’s suspension.
“Nananawagan ang Mayors for Good Governance para sa isang makatarungan at malinaw na proseso ng pagdinig ukol sa anim na buwang suspension na ipinataw ng Ombudsman kay Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro,†M4GG said in a statement.
As an organization committed to promoting good governance and combating corruption in government, M4GG expressed confidence that justice and truth will prevail in the matter involving Teodoro, who serves as one of the group’s convenors.