By Helen Castaño | 07:32 PM April 20, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY — A provincial lawmaker has stepped in to investigate the plight of small furniture makers in Bohol after more than 200 shops were threatened with closure due to compliance issues with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Board Member Jamie Aumentado Villamor conducted site visits in the towns of Sikatuna, Loboc, and Loay on Friday, accompanied by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bohol representative Rey Regis and, in Loay, Mayor Hilario Ayuban Jr.
Villamor inspected several small furniture shops that were issued Notices of Violation and Stoppage Orders, including the shop of Jezreel Taculad, 39, owner of Taculad Furniture in Barangay Cambuac Sur, Sikatuna.
Taculad said they are willing to comply with government requirements but are burdened by the process.
“We have no problem complying, but the process is slow because of the many requirements, even if our business is small,” he said.
In Loay, Maria Violeta Budiongan recounted how their small furniture shop was shut down after a raid conducted by authorities last year due to lack of a Wood Processing Plant Permit. She said her husband, Cesario—who had just undergone surgery—was detained for four days over alleged illegal possession of hardwood. Their business has since closed.
Another furniture maker, Juana Suyman of Barangay Tayong Occidental, Loay, thanked Villamor for assisting small operators like her. She said she had already completed her documents, but these were not accepted due to newly imposed requirements.
Meanwhile, in Loboc, furniture maker Mario Bagot, 50, said the cost of processing the new requirements could reach up to P100,000—an amount he described as too high for small entrepreneurs.
Villamor said her inspection revealed systemic challenges faced by micro and small enterprises.
“Checking the situation on the ground, we visited several wood furniture makers in Sikatuna, Loboc and Loay, who were issued Notices of Violation and Stoppage Orders by DENR. What we saw was clear: many of our small businesses are willing to comply, but are struggling with complex requirements, high costs, and lack of clear guidance,” she said.
“As a legislator who chairs the committee on environment, I am committed to help address compliance gaps faced by our micro/small wood furniture shops,” she added.
Villamor said the provincial government could provide immediate assistance by helping operators comply with requirements in coordination with local government units, the Department of Trade and Industry, and DENR.
“Atong nakita na possible na immediate intervention sa Provincial Government is compliance assistance in partnership with LGUs, DTI and DENR para masiguro na magpadayon ang ilang panginabuhian, while masiguro pud ang pagsunod nila sa balaod,” she said.
For long-term solutions, Villamor called for policy review at the national level.
“Long term na solution is for us to advocate and lobby with the national government to review the policy and regulation, and push for clear, size-based regulation na ma assure nato nga masunod sa atong mga gagmay na negosyante,” she said.
“Environmental protection is non-negotiable, and the right of our people to earn a living must be protected just as firmly. Compliance must be practical, accessible, and fair. Especially for our small, livelihood-driven enterprises,” she added.
Mayor Ayuban expressed concern over the impact on at least 29 members of the Loay Wood Users Association.
“If there are deficiencies in the requirements, we should help each other and make compliance easier for small makers,” he said.
