would be nice to be able to include files and/or directories from php.ini -- seems that Cooker's php now does that; see also discussion at http://www.phpbuilder.com/mail/php-developer-list/2002091/0528.php
This functionality was added to php-4.3.4 CVS-20031101. From now one You can add any config files to any services absolutely. Please read documentation at /usr/share/doc/php-common-4.3.4/php-packaging.readme from php-common package.
closing