Shoemakers in Marikina City slammed reports that suspended Mayor Marcy Teodoro has done little to support them and the industry especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“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 (The shoemaking industry in Marikina has prospered so much ever since Mayor Marcy became mayor. First, the creation of bazaars showcasing our products, our benchmarking activities in different areas, and all our needs are being provided to us for free)," Philippine Footwear Federation Inc (PFFI) President Nick dela Paz 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 (There's no problem regarding his support for us. Either we go to Baguio, to Sablayan, Muntinlupa, Pateros, and Laoag, all of these travels are free of charge courtesy of the city government to improve our craft. He has full support on us)," he added.

PPFI chairman Emeritus Tony Andes also belied online news reports for not reaching out to them before publishing them, which they said unfairly portrayed the local government as having done nothing to support the shoe industry.

“Parang kaming magsasapatos, walang nangyari sa amin. 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 (Nothing bad has happened to us shoemakers. I just wished that they have first reached out to us before writing those articles) dela Paz said.

“Dapat ang in-interview nila iyong matagal nang magsasapatos (They should have interviewed those who have been in the industry for so long)," PFFI Treasurer Marylinda Magbag stressed.

Christmas, school opening bazaars

Under Teodoro's administration, numerous bazaars, including those during the Christmas season and school openings, have been launched to help boost the city's shoemakers' income and expand their market.

Since 2021, Marikina's shoe industry has earned P94 million in sales from bazaars and roadshows in various parts of the country. This initiative also allowed them to expand their market through individuals interested in reselling their products online.

The Pandemic

While they admitted that the shoe industry, like other businesses, was severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the PFFI emphasized that Teodoro never left their side, ensuring that all shoemakers were vaccinated against the virus, not only from Marikina but also from nearby towns such as Antipolo in Rizal.

“Naka-schedule sa school. Pinapunta niya lahat ng magsasapatos para ma-vaccine. Nung Covid, talagang active na active siya sa pagtulong (Our vaccinations were scheduled in schools. He had urged all shoemakers in the city to get vaccinated. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was really active in helping everyone)," PFFI Secretariat Cecille Lazaro Flores said.

“Bukod doon, nagbigay siya ng mga bigas at saka pinrioritize ang financial assistance. Kahit na wala kaming gawa, tumutulong pa rin siya sa amin (Aside from that, he had distributed rice to everyone and prioritized the disbursement of financial assistance to residents. Even though we don't have work, he still continued to help us)," she added.

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.