MANILA, Sept. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippines' balance of payments (BOP) deficit increased to 653 million US dollars in the first eight months of the year, the central bank announced on Wednesday.

　　The central bank said this is largely attributable to weak exports and slow inflows of remittances from overseas Filipino workers, the bank's Deputy Governor Amando Tetangco told reporters.

　　Some debt repayments in August also contributed to the swellingof the deficit figure, Tetangco said, adding that in August alone,the deficit stood at 414 million dollars.

　　In July, the country's balance of payments reflected a surplus of 377 million dollars in July alone, but the January-July figure was still a deficit of 239 million dollars. Enditem