MANILA, Philippines — More businesses invested in Marikina and out-of-work individuals were given jobs last year.

Mayor Del De Guzman listed the accomplishments of the city government in the State of the City Address (SOCA) he read Monday at the Marikina Convention Center in Barangay Concepcion Dos.

De Guzman said a total of 634 people benefitted from the city government’s livelihood training programs, while 5,000 job applicants visited the monthly and quarterly job fairs organized by the city.

Among the establishments that put up businesses in Marikina are Puregold Junior, Save More and Robinson’s Graceland. The three big firms invested a total of P200 million which also opened job opportunities for residents.

Officials from the sister city of Marikina, Busan in South Korea, last year visited Marikina and disclosed their intention of putting up a steel fabrication plant in Marikina.

De Guzman said if the putting up of steel fabrication will materialize in the future it would add to the city’s economy.

The revival of the shoe industry through the Shoe Caravan was also a success and stepping stone to revive the status of Marikina as the country’s “shoe capital.”

Through the Shoe Caravan, local officials visited other local government units to encourage their counterparts to buy Marikina products. During its seven-week tour of Metro Manila, the caravan brought in a total of P12 million.

Other local government leaders and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MDDA) also vowed to continuously support the shoe industry of Marikina by committing to order shoes from the city.

The city government also enhanced its rapport with the business sector, particularly the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Marikina Chapter, by hosting and organizing trade exhibits and business summits.

De Guzman thanked Marikina Representatives Marcy Teodoro of District I and Miro Quimbo of District II, all barangay leaders, media, all sectors and national government agencies in supporting the city’s projects and programs through out the years.

“In the coming years, we’ll do our best to provide the residents with good governance, and more positive improvements which everyone can see, feel and experience,” De Guzman said.