Cebu City Councilor Sounds Alarm Over Proposed Nivel Hills Mega-Project
A major development proposal in Cebu City's Nivel Hills area is encountering significant resistance at City Hall, with Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr. leading the charge against what he describes as a potential traffic nightmare. The councilor has voiced profound concerns regarding a planned 33-story condominium and shopping mall complex, arguing that the local road network is ill-equipped to handle the substantial increase in vehicular and pedestrian activity.
Project Details and Location Concerns
The ambitious project, a joint venture between Grand Land Inc. and the Gaisano Grand Group, is slated for a 1.4-hectare property situated in Nivel Hills, within Barangay Lahug. Councilor Alcover, in a privilege speech delivered on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, emphasized that the existing infrastructure, characterized by narrow and steep roads, was never intended to support a high-density commercial hub of this magnitude. He specifically pointed to Transcentral Highway, warning that its design cannot accommodate the thousands of additional vehicles, delivery trucks, and daily visitors the shopping mall would attract.
Warnings of Widespread Gridlock and Safety Risks
Alcover painted a dire picture of the potential consequences, stating that the influx of traffic would likely choke the area, creating severe congestion that could paralyze movement not only in Lahug but also in neighboring barangays such as Busay and Apas. He stressed that this gridlock would pose a direct threat to public safety, potentially hindering the response times of emergency services. The councilor clarified that his opposition is not to residential development per se, but he labeled the approval of a large-scale commercial component without prior infrastructure upgrades as "irresponsible."
"The cost of this congestion would fall squarely on the shoulders of ordinary citizens—residents, commuters, students, and first responders—rather than the project developers," Alcover argued, highlighting the social burden of the proposed development.
Legal and Environmental Considerations
Beyond traffic, the councilor raised pertinent legal and environmental questions. He cited Section 20 of the Local Government Code, which mandates adherence to a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). Alcover noted that hillside areas like Nivel Hills are typically zoned for limited commercial activity to safeguard the environment, suggesting the project might conflict with established urban planning guidelines designed to protect such sensitive landscapes.
Call for Comprehensive Review and Executive Session
To address these multifaceted concerns proactively, Councilor Alcover has proposed convening an executive session before any construction commences. He aims to bring together key stakeholders, including representatives from the City Administrator’s Office, the CLUP Office, the Cebu City Transportation Office, other relevant planning departments, and local barangay officials. This collaborative review, he believes, is essential to ensure responsible development.
"The City Council should be remembered for protecting the livability and sustainability of our city, not merely for rubber-stamping construction permits," Alcover asserted. He concluded with a powerful principle for urban growth: "True development should uplift and empower our communities, not suffocate them with congestion and overlooked planning."
