The surplus economics define ukay-ukay businesses here in
the Philippines which are characterized by selling items that are considered to
be trash for the supplier. Does that mean that the Philippines is the ultimate
catchall for all the trashes of the people abroad? What does it imply on our
socioeconomic status as a country?
The ultimate sources of ukay-ukay items here in the
Philippines are the countries with many seasonal changes such as the United
States. The US for example has four seasons namely winter, fall, summer and
autumn. Each season has a different climate, therefore requiring the citizens
to dress accordingly to be able to survive. With the changing season as well as
the changing trends, the citizens in countries are prompted to replace their clothes
and buy new ones. That is why they give their clothes to charity or sell it to
big second hand retailers situated abroad.
Items that enter the Philippine market are really not meant
to be retailed or commercially sold. These items are supposedly headed to
orphanage, home for the aged and other charity houses; these items are supposed
to be used by the less fortunate. But why are they here? Are we the less fortunate
who cannot really afford to clothe ourselves that we really seek for their trashes?
Definitely not; we are trash bins full of their clutter, taking advantage of
their waste and making them as a livelihood.
Ukay-ukay business simply implies that Filipinos are people who
benefit for the trashes of others. They make use of other’s junk to earn money;
they take what should be for the less fortunate people just to ensure their
wealth. This simply means that Filipinos are people who are greedy persons
without a soft spot in their hearts. All they want to think of is to make money
even though it means taking advantage of somebody or taking somebody’s possession.
Filipinos are bound by this principle- that the world revolves around money,
that making money is the central purpose why they exist.
On the one hand, Filipinos’ patronage to ukay-ukay items also
have positive implications. Choosing ukay-ukay items over expensive brand new
ones suggests that Filipinos have the qualities of a wise consumer. This also
implies that Filipinos value money so much that they do not make hasty
decisions on buying or choosing the product that is right for their budget at
the same time, for their preference.
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