Manila, April 23 -- The National Food Authority (NFA) assured Tuesday that it is preparing for the procurement and drying of play (unhusked rice) as early as now for the wet harvest season.

The NFA's move came shortly after it implemented a new and higher pricing scheme for palay on the tail-end of dry harvest season on Monday, with the price range now pegged at PHP17 to PHP23/kg. for fresh or wet palay and while PHP23 to PHP30/kg. for clean and dry palay.

In a radio interview, NFA officer-in-charge administrator Larry Lacson said instructions were already given to local offices to consider factors concerning the looming threat of La Nina.

"What we are doing in preparation for the buying during times na La Nina or medyo tag-ulan, iyon ...