Manila, March 26 -- Senators on Thursday called for stronger protection for local farmers as onion prices continue to fall at the farm level despite rising production costs.

During a Senate hearing in Munoz City, Nueva Ecija, Senator Francis Pangilinan said the ongoing energy crisis is compounding challenges in the agriculture sector, driving up costs from production to transport, and affecting food prices.

He noted that farmers are being forced to sell onions at or near production cost, while market prices remain high, pointing to possible distortions in the supply chain and possible manipulation in pricing.

The Senate hearing was held in Nueva Ecija, considering the country's "onion capital," as senators investigate the sharp drop in...