Marikina seeks wider market for leather goods

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina is seeking to expand beyond shoemaking the city’s leather goods industry, with Mayor Marjorie Ann Teodoro pushing to showcase locally made bags, wallets and other products to a wider market.

Teodoro announced the initiative Friday as the city opened its Christmas Bazaar, which features 40 local brands selling shoes, bags and other leather goods at the Freedom Park.

She proposed expanding the exhibits at the Marikina Shoe Museum to include other leather products, allowing visitors to appreciate the city’s craftsmanship beyond footwear.

“I want our other products, such as bags and other leather goods, to be included in the exhibits at the Shoe Museum,” Teodoro said, as she urged members of the Philippine Footwear Federation to donate their products for display at the museum.

The push comes after representatives from nine member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations visited the Shoe Museum on Nov. 6 and met local shoemakers to learn about the city’s footwear industry.

Teodoro said a Singaporean delegate expressed interest in bringing a larger delegation to Marikina next year in connection with a planned handicrafts summit in Manila.

The mayor said the visit could open more opportunities to promote Marikina-made shoes and leather products in international markets.