Government-owned Panay Railways Inc. (PRI) clarified that it still owns the property in Barangay 10 of Roxas City.
PRI Chief Operating Officer Cesar Capellan emphasized that not even the local government unit (LGU) of Roxas City owns it.
The PRI also owns portions of Barangays 9, Punta Tabuc, Lawaan, Bolo, Loctugan, and Lanot.
Capellan personally came to a dialogue between barangay officials and the residents of Barangay 10 to settle concerns last July 31, 2025.
PRI wanted to settle who is the rightful owner of the property in the aftermath of the passing of a lessee, whose stepdaughter was trying to sell the property.
During the dialogue, Capellan said the land cannot be sold nor could be sub-lease directly or indirectly as the government corporation is the sole owner.
Capellan also emphasized that when the lease agreement was signed with the PRI, it stipulated that the lessee is not allowed to build permanent structures or engage in permanent improvements.
The land should also be 10 meters in distance from the middle of the old train lines and the contract for the lessee is renewable every two years.
Built during the American period, the Panay Railway operated between Roxas City and Iloilo City until the mid-1980s.
For almost two decades, there have been talks on the revival of the railway including a 2022 announcement from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Capellan disclosed that many international investors including from Turkey, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, England, and China have expressed interest to finance the revival of the railway.
