DTI to Boost Marikina’s Food Industry

To boost the food industry sector in the country’s shoe capital, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to invigorate and nurture the food industry in Marikina City.

According to Marikina’s Trade and Industry Office officer-in-charge, Ma. Lourdes Dela Paz, among the plans of the DTI is to put up a shared service facilities for food manufacturers that will house machines and equipment that they can use for processing their products.

Dela Paz said the DTI now focuses on boosting the city’s food industry by extending trainings and putting up a facility that city food manufacturers can utilize for their production.

The development of Marikina’s food industry is expected to complement the city’s booming restaurant sector, which saw the opening of more restaurants, coffee shops and bars. In fact, aside from being the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, Marikina is now known for its homegrown restaurants that offer a variety of delectable cuisines at affordable prices.

Marikina is home to companies engaged in manufacturing noodles and processed meat. There are also home-based micro, small and medium enterprises that produce snacks including local delicacies such as puto and suman, chocolates and other confectionery, and pastries.

One of the major programs led by Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro is to improve the business climate in the city so that more Marikeños will be encouraged to become entrepreneurs and to attract more businessmen to invest in the city. This will help create more jobs, boost the local economy, and generate more tax collections for the city government which can also fund programs and projects that will improve the lives of Marikeños by providing free college education, building more roads, health centers, school buildings, and more.

Meanwhile, food manufacturers in Marikina are also planning to create a group to gather support from other government agencies. (PIA-NCR with reports from PIO Marikina)