SUBIC, ZAMBALES – Their lives once filled with scandals, drug surrenderees have resorted to making sandals in an effort to correct their past mistakes.
According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Leonila Baluyut, the surrenderees from Barangay Calapandayan are now undergoing training on how to make sandals while surrenderees from Barangay Calapacuan have already produced dozens of sandals.
Baluyut said it all started when they conducted trainings in sandal-making before a bigger turnout happened during their four-day training last November 22 with the support of the local government.
“Even Vice Governor Angel Magsaysay is looking into the development of the footwear industry in Zambales. She is really supportive of the endeavor and hopes that the industry here will grow,” Baluyut said.
Apparently, the lady governor was once known in Marikina City, touted as the country’s shoe capital.
The DTI plans to showcase the products during two upcoming festivals namely the Ina ng Poon Bato and the Dinamulag Mango.
Currently, the barangays are targeting the festivals of the Ina ng Poon Bato and the Dinamulag Mango Festival to showcase their finished products. According to the DTI, it is a good medium for the trainees to promote their products within the province. (Jonas Reyes)
