DOST-PTRI leads the First Quarterly National Footwear Technical Working Group (NFTWG) Meeting
By: Reina Rose B. Realino
Technology Transfer, Information, and Promotion Staff
As part of the celebration of 2024 Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month, the first quarterly National Footwear Technical Working Group (NFTWG) meeting was held on January 11, 2024, at the TELA Gallery of the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) with the goal of establishing linkages and policies using local textiles. Various stakeholders in the footwear industry attended and discussed the current state of the Philippine Footwear Industry.
The first highlight of the event focused on the accomplishments and performance of the NFTWG during the previous year. The next steps towards achieving the goals set in the Roadmap for the Philippine Footwear Industry were also discussed. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened the floor for recommendations and considerations that can be employed to further valorize the Philippine Footwear Industry.
Photo 1. The NFTWG during meeting
DOST-PTRI presented its developments in textiles for footwear applications, including its participation in the 2023 Filipino Footwear Design Competition (FFDC), which featured the creations of local shoe designers utilizing naturally sourced raw materials and their collaboration with Ai-She Footwear on the use of coco twine as a footwear raw material. The involvement of DOST-PTRI in the upcoming 2024 FFDC was also presented.
The meeting was attended by OIC-Director of DOST-PTRI, Ms. Evangeline Flor P. Manalang; DOST-PTRI Supervising Science Research Specialist, Ms. Zailla F. Payag; SAFATOS Program representatives, Mr. Audric Zuriel C. Cruz and Mr. Philip Ajon M. Basat; DTI-NCRO Regional Director, Ms. Ma. Sofia Narag; DTI-NCRO representative, Ms. Paulette Talion; DTI-Region 3 Pampanga Provincial Director, Ms. Elenita Ordonio; GIBI Shoes’ Mr. Roger S. Py; Ai-She Footwear’s Owner, Ms. Corazon Coligado; For U Leather’s Owner, Ms. Florida Rio; Ateneo Shoe Academy’s Director, Mr. Alfredo Teodory; Board of Investment’s Executive Director, Ms. Ma. Corazon Dichosa, and representative, Mr. Rommel Madronio; DOST-PCIEERD representatives, Engr. Tarhata Mariano and Engr. Mac Joseph Rosales; and DTI-Export Marketing Bureau Director, Ms. Bianca Pearl Sykimte, and representative, Ms. Jocivic Bertillo.
Photo 2. The National Footwear Technical Working Group
