Marcos: Use private trucks in typhoon response

President Marcos wants trucks owned by private companies with government contracts to aid in the country's preparation and response to typhoons.

- Helen Flores

"Trucks of private contractors who have contracts with the government, the Department of Transportation and Department of Public Works and Highways, must be prepositioned already," Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez said yesterday.

Marcos earlier urged private firms which are part of the administration's Build, Better, More Program to assist in road clearing operations in typhoon-hit areas.

Typhoon Nika—the country's 14th tropical cyclone this year—was pummeling the Cordillera Administrative Region yesterday.

Chavez said the Office of the President has instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government to issue directives on class and work suspension.