CONTEXT

Last Wednesday— November 20, 2019—a seminar hosted by the ABM Department
discussed about 8 basic consumer rights and Fair trade law was conducted at the FWS
multipurpose hall of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Salvador campus. The seminar’s purpose
was to enlighten students as consumers to the rights over the products and services that can
be avail from businesses. The seminar started with a prayer, followed by the singing of the
National anthem and the Zamboanga Hermosa. The speakers were from the Department of
Trade and Industry. The first speaker, sir Vincent Jericho I. Duncombe, discussed about the 8
basic consumer rights namely: The right to basic needs; the right to safety; the right to
information; the right to choice; the right of representation; the right to redress; the right to
consumer education; and the right to a healthy environment.

The second speaker, Engr. Isidro D. Eijansantos Jr., talked about the fair- trade law.
This law helps to prevent companies from monopolising and distorting the products that they
sell. This protects the consumers from purchasing products that are untested and could cause
harm and danger to consumers.

EXPERIENCE

As a consumer myself, I have had moments were I disregarded looking at the legitimacy
of a product that I purchased. Before, I used to only examine the quality and the price of the
product and not bother looking at the properties pasted on its label. Yes, I do look at the
nutritional value and additional information of food products that I buy, but that could only go
as far as purchasing edible products. I am a well informed consumer when it comes to food
products, but electrical ones? Not really. There was a time when I bought a light bulb for our
kitchen and I just looked at the price and the brand of the product—not even bothering to look
if it was legit registered and approved by the DTI. The light bulb worked fine, but that was a
risky and reckless purchase.

REFLECTION

The seminar was really helpful. It provided me ways and means on how to be wiser in
purchasing products. Before the seminar, all I thought that was important in purchasing is to
look at the price, the quality of the product (assessed through surface examination), the
reviews if available, and the functions of the product. Never did it cross my mind to check it if
were legit products or not. I didn’t even care about ICC stickers or BS markers. However, now
that I am enlightened, I believe I just became more mature in my purchases. Furthermore, the
information about the 8 basic rights made me realized that receipts are extremely important
especially in products that are guaranteed with warranties. It will really serve as a saving grace
in times of products malfunctioning and one has a need to repair, replace or refund such
product.

Action

To be a well informed consumer, I have to independently make wise purchase decisions.

In order do to that, I have to keep in mind the steps I have to take in order to avoid regrets
and disappointments. First, I have to thoroughly assess what I truly need. Impulsive buying is a
common habit of mine, and to eradicate this I have to deeply evaluate the whole situation upon
deciding. Next is for me to look up for reviews. It is a pivotal move to do such because reviews
and feedbacks guarantee a strong information about the product than the advertising itself
because we may never know its legitimacy. Third is to compare brands. This way my decision
will be narrower and it would be easy for me to cross out brands that is not in my favor. Fourth
is to check the label and the quality of the product as well. Labels are paramount in making
smart decisions, and taking the time to read won’t hurt anyone right? Additionally, I have to
examine the quality of the product as well. I can’t just entirely base my decisions on the
reviews, so I need to check the materials of the product and estimate its longevity so I can be
more satisfied with my purchase. Lastly, evaluating the price. If the price doesn’t match the
quality of the product, even if it’s cheap, then I would look for other product that is on par with
my standards.

Evaluation

Overall, the seminar was fruitful in a way that it gave students wholesome information
about determining a product’s legitimacy and rights of the consumers. Our knowledge just
tripled in size, and now that we were able to attend the seminar are we able to be smarter in
our purchases. Though I would have liked it better if the place was decorated more, and there
were performances perhaps in between sessions to liven up the atmosphere. However, I would
say that I was satisfied with how it turned out because I have learned so much.