Manila, Nov. 6 -- Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday welcomed the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) plan to align construction material prices with market rates, saying the projected PHP60 billion savings should be redirected to basic government services that directly benefit the people.

In a statement, Cayetano said the funds can be used to strengthen education, health, and social aid, where additional resources are urgently needed to reinforce existing programs.

He said utilizing the DPWH's target savings can help curb the alarming effects of child stunting, emphasizing that addressing it early will give the "best return on investment" because it will prevent bigger challenges for the government late...