Photo credit: Senate PH

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is urging the government to make sure every peso of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) projected P60-billion savings truly counts—by channeling it to programs that directly improve people’s lives.

Cayetano welcomed DPWH’s plan to align construction material prices with market rates, saying this move can free up huge funds that should go to basic services like education, health, and social aid.

“If we look at the programs of all departments, magaganda naman. But the question is—are we targeting the right things?” he said. “You might be hitting the target, but it’s the wrong target.”

The senator stressed that the savings could be a game changer in tackling child stunting, which he called a “smart investment” for the country’s future.

“Many stunted children end up becoming future PWDs. The more we address stunting now, the less we’ll spend on interventions later,” Cayetano explained.

He also pointed out that the same funds could be used to build more classrooms and end the double or triple shifts in overcrowded public schools. He cited Taguig City as an example, where seven-story school buildings with elevators were constructed to handle the growing student population.

Beyond classrooms, Cayetano pushed for stronger financial aid programs to help Filipino families cope with rising prices and inflation.

He praised DPWH’s move to cut costs as a “good start” but said real reform means making sure savings actually reach people who need them most.

“True reform isn’t just about saving money,” he said. “It’s about spending wisely—so every peso uplifts lives and serves its real purpose.”

And his reminder to all government agencies?

“You cannot have good governance if you have a corrupt mentality.”