MANILA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' annual headline inflation quickened to 1.5 percent in August from 0.9 percent in July, mainly due to higher food prices caused by unfavorable weather conditions, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday.

PSA chief Dennis Mapa said in a news conference that the food and non-alcoholic beverages index, a major component of the basket, increased by 0.9 percent in August, reversing a 0.2 percent annual drop in July 2025. He noted that this shift was the primary source of upward pressure for the month.

Mapa said the slower annual decrease in transport at 0.3 percent in August 2025 from 2.0 percent in the previous month also contributed to the uptrend.

The August inflation rate brings the national average inflation from January to August 2025 to 1.7 percent. In August 2024, the inflation rate was higher at 3.3 percent.

The core inflation, which excludes selected food and energy items, rose to 2.7 percent in August 2025. In August 2024, core inflation was registered at 2.6 percent.

In a separate statement, the Philippines' Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the country's weather outlook due to its potential impact on agricultural production.

"While inflation remains broadly manageable, the recent figures highlight how adverse weather conditions directly impact prices," Balisacan said.

The Philippines' state weather bureau, PAGASA, has forecasted up to 15 tropical cyclones between September 2025 and February 2026. ■