Ilocanos, no longer the thriftiest Filipinos

Filipinos”; studies reveal that they ranked now sixth among the 17 regions of the country. First in the list comes from Cordillera followed by Cagayan Valley, Soccsksargen, Central Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula. Isabela representative Giogidi Aggabao shared that people from Cordillera and Cagayan Valley were influenced by their Ilocano neighbors to save and it was taught to them since childhood. Aggabao also shared that she cannot blame Ilocanos for being thrifty because of the low standard of living in their provinces back then. Only tobacco is known to grow in the area with few comforts and amenities around. However, Ilocos representative Rodolfo Albano defended his side. “It was a mistake to typecast Ilocanos as thrifty. An Ilocano is just industrious; he does not waste time, that is why he was branded as thrifty”, says Albano. At the bottom of the list are the Calabarzon, Bicol and Western Visayas ranked 15^th, 16^th and 17^th respectively. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)