Ban drinking, gambling at funeral parlors – Aliping

BAGUIO CITY—Councilor Nicasio Aliping Jr. last week filed a proposed ordinance prohibiting drinking of liquor and gambling activities within the premises of funeral parlors here.

Aliping said wakes are for mourning, grieving, sympathizing and condoling over the loss of loved ones but said intentions were supplanted when drinking sprees and gambling activities occur.

“In order to properly observe the wake practice and to mourn with the bereaved family members in a solemn, peaceful and orderly manner, drinking and gambling within the funeral parlor premises need to be prohibited,” he said.

Proposed penalty for violators is P500 or imprisonment of five days or both.

The measure will be discussed on first reading by the city council soon. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

Cordillera lags behind other regions – RDC

BAGUIO CITY—Twenty one years after it was established as an administrative region, the Cordillera has achieved modest progress, yet continues to lag behind the older regions, as per report of the Regional Development Council.

While its gross regional domestic product reached 3.5 percent growth last year, compared to 2.3 percent from 2001 to 2006, the figure is still way below the national growth rate of 7.2 percent.

While its paved national roads increased from 29 percent in 2004 to 36 percent last year, it pales with the national average of 72 percent.

The region posted a 96.9 percent employment rate last year, 3.2 percent higher than the national employment rate of 93.7 percent. # Ramon Dacawi/PIO