Malacañang Sunday threw its support behind a congressional bill seeking to impose stiffer penalties against indiscriminate construction of buildings and other structures along waterways.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman for economic affairs Gary Olivar said the bill proposed by Senator Miriam Santiago should be incorporated in the revised urban planning and development of Metro Manila to prevent a repeat of the devastating floods caused by tropical storm Ondoy.

President Arroyo earlier agreed to revise the urban planning and development of Metro Manila, including the relocation of informal settlers particularly those in riverbanks.

The President has asked her Cabinet to look into the 1977 Metro Manila Transport, Land Use and Development Project proposed by architect Felino Palafox Jr. in a meeting next week. The urban development plan cites parts of Metro Manila unsuitable for habitation since they are prone to floods.

“The new bill introduced by Senator Santiago should be given due attention because we have seen the devastation when there is no proper planning by the developer. This proposal should be considered and implemented within an over-all integrated planning framework that will revise the development of Metro Manila,” Olivar said.

Santiago has filed Senate Bill no. 3483 seeking to penalize persons or groups that would encroach waterways and riverbanks that could result to flooding in nearby communities. Erring individuals or firms face penalties of as much as P50 million in fines and even revocation of business permits.

Following the country’s bitter experience with the two recent strong typhoons that left many people dead and thousands of families homeless, Olivar acknowledged that the government must “carefully study” the urban development of Metro Manila.