COTABATO City–Muslim religious leaders here asked the Department of Trade and Industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DTI-ARMM) and other concerned government agencies to protect Muslim consumers from dishonest traders who may take advantage of the fasting month of Ramadhan to raise prices of basic commodities.
The call was raised Tuesday as Muslims all over the world prepare the observance of fasting month, tentatively scheduled on June 17 or 18, depending on the sightings of the moon.
The Muftis (Islamic law interpreter/jurisconsults) and Ulama (Islamic scholars) gathered for the 2nd National Assembly of Mufti and Ulama in Davao City last week and also issued appeals to DTI-ARMM and similar government agencies through a joint resolution to look into the perennial hike of prices of basic commodities during Ramadhan.
The Muslim religious leaders said they observed in previous years that when Ramadhan is approaching, traders, including street vendors took advantage of the fasting season to double or triple the prices of goods.
The assembly participants requested the “Regional Darul Ifta” (RDI-ARMM) in the ARMM to coordinate with concerned government agencies to appeal for the protection of Muslim consumers against spike in prices by traders, including Muslim businessmen, during the religious event.
They noted that under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, it is a stated policy “to protect the interests of the consumers, in particular against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable acts and practices.”
The Muftis and Ulama also noted the existing “Bantay Presyo” mechanism of DTI and urged the concerned agency to strengthen the price watch measure with the participation of the RDI-ARMM and its network of Ulama. Pna
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