The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to observe proper preparation of food as well as beverages during the dry season. Food gets easily spoiled amid the high weather temperature, said DOH Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. Vergeire advised the public, particularly those managing school canteens, to always bear in mind safety food precautions. “Kapag mainit or maintindi ang init ng araw, madali pong pumapanis ang mga pagkain. Sana po ngayon iwas po tayo sa pagluluto ng madaling mapanis at sineserve sa ating mga estudyante (During extreme heat, food is easily spoiled. Avoid cooking or serving food that  spoil relatively fast),” Vergeire said during a press briefing on Tuesday, March 28. The Health official also reminded street vendors to always use clean water for their beverage items. “Ito pong nagbebenta ng ating mga samalamig sa bawat kanto, palengke, amin po kayong pinapaalalahan na siguraduhin po natin na malinis ang tubig na pinagkukunan natin para ipangtimpla dito sa binebenta natin (We are reminding those selling cold drinks in streets or public markets to make sure that your source of water is clean),” said Vergeire. “Hindi lang po tubig ang kailangan natin siguraduhin na ligtas, ayun pong mga yelo na ginagamit natin (It's not just water that we need to make sure is safe but also the ice that we will be using),” she added. Local government units were also advised to ensure that food vendors in their respective jurisdiction are following proper food handling. “Sana po mamonitor ng ating mga sanitation officers itong nagbebenta sa ngayon dito sa ating bayan…para masiguro po na malinis ang iniinom ng ating mga kababayan at maiwasan ang gastrointestinal problems (I hope the sanitation officers can monitor the [food] vendors to make sure that the beverages are clean and to prevent gastrointestinal problems),” said Vergeire.