Manila, March 13 -- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday assured continuous efforts to protect the productivity of sugar and other agricultural sectors in the Philippines.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) made the assurance as some farmer representatives sought possible government intervention in case tensions in the Middle East prompt supply disruptions or price surges in petroleum-based agricultural inputs.

"We will work to ensure a stable supply of fuel and fertilizer, as well as other inputs - not only for sugar farmers but for all Filipino farmers and fisherfolk," Tiu Laurel said in a statement.

For the sugar industry alone, fuel demand increases during peak harvest as it is used for harvesting cane, transpor...