The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) on Friday, Sept. 5, stressed the need to closely monitor weather patterns, warning of their potential impact on food supply and prices.

In a statement, DEPDev said it is intensifying efforts to ensure sufficient supply and keep essential commodities affordable despite recent weather disturbances.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s inflation rate accelerated to a five-month high of 1.5 percent last month, up from the almost six-year low of 0.9 percent in August 2025, but still lower than the 3.3 percent recorded in August 2024.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said that the recent typhoons have contributed to the rise of inflation last month, particularly in vegetables.

“While inflation remains broadly manageable, the recent figures highlight how adverse weather conditions directly impact prices,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

Balisacan emphasized that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecasted seven to 15 tropical cyclones between September 2025 and February 2026.

He noted the possible onset of La Niña between September and December, which could bring flooding and crop damage in high-risk areas.

“In anticipation of these weather shocks, we must ramp up preparatory activities and proactively ensure sufficient food supply to protect Filipino consumers from price volatility,” Balisacan added.

The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center has distributed agricultural inputs to regional field offices to support farmers.

They include rice, corn, high-value crop seeds, veterinary medicines and biologics for livestock and poultry, as well as fish stocks and essential aquaculture equipment.

DEPDev also said farmers affected by extreme weather may avail of financial and insurance support through the survival and recovery loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), indemnification from Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), and rehabilitation funding via the quick response fund (QRF).

“We remain committed to implementing strategic policies that ease supply constraints and improve market efficiency,” Balisacan said. “Our priority is to protect Filipinos, especially the most vulnerable, from the impact of rising prices while building resilience in our production systems to ensure stable and affordable food commodities for every household.”

(Ricardo M. Austria)