MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Tuesday ordered the drafting of a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the inclusion of medicines in relief packages in times of calamities and emergencies.

Marcos made this call in a situation briefing in Camp Siongco in Maguindanao del Norte, one of the hardest hit by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng last weekend.

The chief executive said a few days after a calamity, affected individuals look for over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol  and anti-diarrheal medicines over the risk of infectious diseases.

“That’s one aspect of it na hindi masyadong naaatensyunan. Paano tayo makapag-provide ng gamot? Like [what] the Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam is saying. Simple lang naman. Kasi nakabilad sila (affected residents)… basa sila nang matagal, nilalagnat ‘yung mga bata,” the President pointed out.

Marcos also stressed the importance of providing maintenance medicines during calamities.

“Pero ‘yung matatanda, ‘yung mga may maintenance, delikado talaga sila pagka mga one week na silang hindi nag-gagamot, it starts to really affect them,” he said.

The President noted that these types of drugs should be prescribed or dispensed by the health department, doctors and pharmacies.

“So let’s put together an SOP for that para may kasama na tayong gamot,” he said.

Before heading to the briefing, the President led an aerial inspection over Maguindanao province, one of the hardest hit by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” over the weekend.

Marcos led the distribution of assistance to affected families in the area. (PND)