The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has discovered more than 160 hectares of seagrass, locally known as lusay, during a recent diving activity at Tucad Reef in the municipality of Pilar, Capiz. The activity was conducted as part of the ongoing Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA), a crucial step in evaluating the reef’s potential inclusion in the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Dr. Ernesto Federiso, officer-in-charge of DENR Capiz, shared the findings during the “Kapihan” program organized by the Capiz Information Center of the Philippine Information Agency. He emphasized the significance of the discovery, describing Tucad Reef as one of the largest known seagrass areas in the country.

Over 160 hectares of seagrass discovered in Tucad Reef. (2025, June 17). Panay News, p. 5.