BY CLIFFORD JAMES L. DANDUAN & LISETTE DONAIRE/UM Interns
PHOTOS BY APRIL MARGRETTE ALNAS/UM INTERN
A CONSUMER awareness forum and caravan brought together residents of Barangay Sto. Niño in Tugbok District on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to promote informed and vigilant consumers in the digital age.
The forum highlighted talks from various government agencies on digital finance, cybersecurity, public health, economic pressures, and other pressing social issues.
Apart from the awareness campaign, residents also benefited from free medical services, including medicines, consultations, and eye check-ups, along with legal assistance, making the forum a one-stop hub of essential services for the community.
In an exclusive interview, the assistant dean of the RMC School of Law, Atty. Dante Calamba, said that pressing societal and global issues affecting Filipinos and the need to bring classroom-based legal theories to communities prompted the forum and caravan.
”We are looking at the problems of society in general with the proliferation of online fraud, digitalization of so many human transactions, businesses, war in the Middle East, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the rising prices of commodities, basic necessities, and prime commodities because of the war. We see it fitting and timely to hold this consumer awareness caravan because our subject in law school is consumer protection. So, instead of just focusing on the articles, the laws, instead just letting the student memorize Codal Provisions, why not bring what the student learned from the classroom to the communities,” Calamba said.
He also shared that the initiative was significant because it helps people become knowledgeable, protected, and empowered, emphasizing that the program is not just about consumer protection, as it also offers various public services for free.
”We are making them knowledgeable. And then we want them to be protected. And because of that, they will be empowered. It’s not just more on the consumer protection awareness campaign. It’s also like a one-stop shop. We understand that the needs of the people are varied,” he added.
Leticia Navas, one of the residents from Barangay Sto. Niño, said the free eye check-up benefited her because she determined the condition of her vision.
”Sa akoa nakatabang gyud siya kay nagpa check ko sa akong mata tungod kay aron mahibalo an nako kung unsa ang problema sa akong mata (It really helped me because I had my eyes checked so I could find out the problem with my eyes),” the 63-year-old resident shared.
She further stated that she did not expect the program to reach their community.
”Pasalamat pud ko naabot ni ing-ani na sistema (I am also thankful that this kind of program reached us),” she added.
The Rizal Memorial Colleges-School of Law students organized the consumer awareness forum and caravan.
