The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is urging business establishments to sign up for its ‘e-Presyo’ program to allow consumers access to prevailing prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.

Krystle Jade Bato, spokesperson and OIC chief of the Consumer Protection Division of DTI-Negros Oriental, on Thursday said nine of the 11 establishments in this capital city have already signed up for the e-Presyo program.

“We try to strengthen consumer trust by ensuring timely and reliable price information through the e-Presyo,” Bato said.

The ‘e-Presyo’ is the DTI’s Online Price Monitoring System, which helps consumers monitor and access prevailing and even real-time prices, she added.

Bato, however, said DTI price monitoring teams still conduct in-person monitoring of 186 firms across the province, including supermarkets, retailers, grocery stores and even hardware and construction supply outlets.

But the electronic version of the price monitoring will cut down on time and allow easy access to prices, she further said.

The e-Presyo website offers several features for consumers, but DTI is currently focused on price monitoring.

The DTI-Negros Oriental cited early this week the nine establishments that are already actively participating in the e-Presyo.

A memorandum of agreement was also signed between the DTI and the establishments for the voluntary encoding of price data for monitoring purposes to ensure price stability and market integrity in Negros Oriental. (PNA)