BIZ BUZZ: Marikina goes beyond shoes
Long known as the country’s shoe capital because of the presence of a multitude of local shoe makers, Marikina City wants to be also known for something else: a center of innovation.
This it seeks to achieve by unlocking the full potential of the recently launched Philippine Innovation Hub, a new facility at the Marikina Enterprise Center that will centralize support for entrepreneurs and realize the vision of a “Marikina Startup Valley.”
The hub led by the Department of Trade and Industry and National Development Co stems from the vision of Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo to bring together government and the private sector under one roof to address challenges faced by small businesses and creatives.
The innovation hub will offer integrated services including technical assistance, startup incubation, streamlined regulations, digital onboarding, and investor matching—all in one place so that Filipino businesses can formalize, innovate, and compete without leaving Marikina.
NDC General Manager Saturnino Mejia called the Hub a model of cross-sector collaboration. “What we’re launching here is not just a space—it’s a mission,” Mejia said. “One that’s rooted in shared progress and built for real impact.”
The economist-lawmaker stressed Marikina’s competitive edge. “Marikina has always had the talent, the creativity, and the grit,” she said. “What we’re building now is the structure that will let that talent lead—not just locally, but globally. This is how we begin the future. This is how we build Marikina Startup Valley.”
