ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Five houses illegally built by renters of the property of the Panay Railway Incorporated along Ledesma St. In Pototan town of Iloilo were demolished.
PRI administrative officer Rodel Mamon said the court has ordered the demolition of the illegal structures on the leased area by the tenants, identified as Elizabeth Penuela and
her daughter Ceres Caro, who have been leasing the property since 1986.
"Maybe they have personal plans at the area but we recognized those above-mentioned lessees as our tenants since they have existing lease of contract with us," said Mamon.
He said the court order was issued after the illegal settlers refused to vacate the area despite several settlements at the barangay level.
The PRI is under the Phividec Railways Incorporated, which is owned by the national government, and the lot is still part of the PRI's right-of-way exclusively intended for
railway and other related operations, he added. —Montesa Griño Caoyonan (FREEMAN)