00:00In the meantime, local shoemakers are gearing up to step up their game as the industry faces tough competition and
00:06challenges from abroad.
00:07Officials and partners say new programs and training will help them hit the ground running,
00:12turning traditional craft into innovation and new business opportunities.
00:16Gab Villegas tells us more.
00:20Marikina City is known for beautiful and quality shoes.
00:24Due to intense competition for increasing imports entering the market, city shoemakers are facing various challenges.
00:31Today, Marikina Polytechnic College signed a memorandum of agreement with DOSD Philippine Textile Research Institute and other stakeholders,
00:41such as the Philippine Footwear Federation Incorporated, to revitalize Marikina's shoe industry.
00:46The program is aimed at further strengthening the footwear industry of Marikina through footwear and leather craft innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurship
00:55and startup incubation.
00:57Catherine was one of those given an opportunity to develop her product and also start a business.
01:03She says they will learn many skills in the future that she can use to build a business.
01:08Gusto po namin na hindi lang po kami mag-create ng new ideas, gusto rin po namin na makakatulong po
01:13kami para po ma-preserve yung environment.
01:15So as much as possible po, lahat po hindi po siya makakaharm sa environment.
01:23The Filipino Footwear Alliance Association admits that the country's shoemaking industry has been left out as far as designs and
01:30innovation in shoemaking is concerned.
01:33But they are optimistic that the development of the shoe industry will be accelerated by MPC Resoles TBI.
01:40They have also tapped traditional shoemakers to provide of training and assistance.
01:45Sa paggawa ng sapatos, yes, dahil innovations ko yan, may mga machines na tayo.
01:50Dati kasi 100% handmade yan.
01:54Actually, may kita mo kung napapaikot.
01:57Before pumupunta na yung mga dati sa Marikina, pag ikot mo, nakabilad yung mga sapatos.
02:03Kasi yun yung traditional, yung pagpapatuyo ng mga adhesive.
02:05Ngayon, mayroon na tayong oven, mayroon tayong mga cutting machines, may mga machines na tayo na pantahe.
02:12Though, syempre handmade pa rin, pero hindi na totally kailangan na, hindi na siya ganun ka-labor intensive.
02:18Pero yung skills pa rin ng artisans, nando doon pa rin.
02:21Hindi naman mawawala yun.
02:22For Dr. Medardo Bombita, project lead of MTC Resoles TBI, he says the problems and needs of the Marikina shoe
02:31industry also needs to be addressed.
02:33We're expecting scaling, yung pagpaparami na ng influensya, not only of awareness, but a call for action of all concerned
02:44industries na magtulungan tayo.
02:45We belong to the same boat, the boat to reinvigorate the shoe industry, but we cannot do it alone by
02:54having different directions ng rowing.
02:56Kailangan ang pagsagwa namin ng LGU, ng MPC, with the partners, with our incubators, iisa lang, para hindi lang mapabilis,
03:05but the quality of the perception of the global scale, doon sa mga produkto namin dito sa Marikina.
03:14The OSTP Shared will fund the grants for cohorts that will be included in the program.
03:20Aside from funding, they will also help with mentoring, networking, and pitching events.
03:25State universities and colleges can apply here to have their own technology business incubator.
03:31There are 81 TBI among higher education institutions and SUCs in different parts of the country.
03:38Gab Villagas from the National TV Network for New and Better Filings.
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