Bong Go promotes Marikina-made footwear

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday appealed to Filipinos to patronize footwear made in Marikina and other locally made products to promote local small businesses and industries.

In a statement issued yesterday, Go said he vouched for the excellent craftsmanship of Marikina shoemakers in his message during the campaign rally of the senatorial candidates of the ruling party PDP-Laban at the Marikina Convention Center.

He said President Duterte, whom he worked for as special assistant, once kicked a government official, who was fired for corruption, using the shoes given to him as a gift by Marikina shoemaker Rolando “Tatay Orly” de Guzman Santos.

Noting that Santos was in the audience, Go asked him to stand and be recognized.

“Tatay Orly, the President used the shoes you gave him, proving how tough and durable they,” Go said in jest.

Duterte first wore the pair of shoes from Santos in a meeting with then US state secretary John Kerry in 2016. The pair remains in excellent condition, according to the President.

The city earned its reputation as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines in the 1950’s but faced difficulties at the onset of 2000 when cheap imports flooded the country.

However, the local shoe industry is now on the rebound with the help of both the local and national government.

Upon Duterte’s direction, the Department of Trade and Industry is leading the effort to revive and strengthen the country’s footwear industry.