ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE FOR MARINE PLASTIC LITTER REDUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES: THE CASE OF MANILA

Abstract

Land-based plastic pollution has increased to the level of an epidemic due to improper plastic waste management, attributed to plastic waste flux into the marine environment. The extant marine plastic litter (MPL) literature focuses primarily on the monitoring and assessment of the problem, but it fails to acknowledge the link between the factors regarding the challenges and opportunities for MPL reduction. This empirical study aimed to provide responses and solutions for enhancing environmental governance for marine plastic litter reduction in Manila, the Philippines. The study used a hybrid SEM and DPSIR framework, with data collected via an online survey from 456 barangays in Manila and analyzed using a combined model, validated through interviews and focus group discussions. Good internal consistency (0.917) and convergent and discriminant validity were achieved. The empirical study established structural model fit measures of RMSEA (0.036), SRMR (0.019), CFI (0.992), and TLI (0.975), with a good parsimonious fit of the chi-square/degrees of freedom ratio of 1.554. In the path model, six exogenous variables accounted for 51% of the variance in the endogenous variable. The findings revealed that environmental governance (COVID-19 waste), community participation, socio-economic factors, and solution measures positively affected marine plastic litter (MPL) abatement. Environmental governance (SWM policies and guidelines) had a negative impact on MPL reduction. However, there was no association between waste infrastructure and MPL abatement. The findings provide significant perspectives on Manila for the enhancement of environmental governance for marine plastic litter reduction. Policy-action implications drawn from empirical DPSIR are presented in the study.

Keywords: Environmental governance, DPSIR, marine plastic litter, solid waste management, structural equation modeling, socio-economic

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