Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that he discussed with President Benigno Aquino III the city government's plan to acquire the Panay Railway Inc. (PRI) so that the place can be converted into a socialized housing area for the homeless city residents.

The property sits on areas within the villages of Railway, McArthur, San Nicolas and Magdalo, all in La Paz.

According to Punong Barangay Nestor Canong of Barangay Railway, this proposal was suggested by Mabilog to PRI President and General Manager Atty. Juan Catalan during his visit to the City Mayor's Office last April.

Canong said Catalan told them that he will bring this concern to the Board of Directors while the mayor said he will raise the issue to

Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chair Jejomar Binay.

The targeted areas are owned by the national government while the PRI has right-of-way exclusively intended for railway and other related operations.

More than 4,000 lessees are currently occupying the 117-kilometer railway stretch to the province of Capiz.

Two months ago, more than 400 families in Brgy. Railway faced eviction from the PRI but the order was suspended after the intervention of several politicians.

Apart from the railway, Mabilog also sought Aquino's help in the purchase of the Commission on Audit (COA) building so it can be preserved as a heritage building as well as assistance in the city's solid waste management project in Calajunan dumpsite, Mandurriao.

Mabilog said the President has advised him to put into writing all his concerns so that it will be tackled by concerned agencies.

"It was a great honor for us to have our President here during the inauguration as we had our chance to air our sentiments," he said.*