Furniture manufacturer creates jobs, changes Inayawan’s image as dump

by Debra M. Estero

BEING the lone Cebuano awardee for this year’s Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards, furniture designer Allan Murillo said the recognition was unexpected but it brought a sense of pride not only to him but to the employees of his furniture export company, Murillo’s Export International Inc.

Last month, Murillo was one of the regional finalists of the award-giving body, which recognizes everyday heroes for their contribution to the community.

Under the Balik Lingkod Category, Murillo was recognized as a businessman who “continues to set aside personal interest or gain for the benefit of his respective community.”

Murillo, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu last Wednesday, said his company does not have a structured corporate social responsibility program but he believes in giving back to the community.

Growing up in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, Murillo said he does not want the community to be known just as the garbage dumping site but more as a home of skilled trade people.

“I want to do something to improve the community and that will give respect to skilled workers,” he said. He explained that in most cases, people who work for furniture companies think lowly of themselves because the work entails manual labor.

(pic courtesy of Lorelyn Bolo, Murillo's)

With this, Murillo employed second- or third-generation craftsmen from Inayawan who, like him, learned the tricks of the trade from their fathers or grandfathers.

He also set up his furniture manufacturing company a few steps away from his residence, which is not just practical forhim but also for his employees.

The company has also participated in community activities, like feeding programs and other civic activities that help improve the community.

But what he considers as his important contribution is recognizing the artist in each of his employees and allowing them to take pride in their work.

“You have to give them the freedom they need. As an artist, I understand that there are times when one does not want to go to work and my employees are free to go on leave as long as they inform (the management) in advance,” he said.

With this “freedom,” Murillo said he was able to develop a sense of passion and love for work among his employees.

The company also encourages its employees to buy its furniture pieces through an affordable installment program. This enables employees to have a sense of pride over their craftsmanship.

Murillo said that while his company was starting out it also went through a number of challenges but his strategy of having a “lean and mean” set up helped him survive difficult times.

He admitted, though, that the present crisis is the worst yet for his company. But, he said, the company will face the present challenges for the sake of its 140 employees.

“If not for them (the employees), I would have closed a long time ago,” Murillo said.
Murillo said there is also no end to giving back to the community, not because of any award, but because of his intention to make a difference.