The nexus of macroplastic and microplastic research and plastic regulation policies in the Philippines marine coastal environments

The Philippines was reported as one of the top plastic polluters (macroplastics and microplastics (MPs)) to the marine coastal environment, which necessitated the development and enforcement of plastic regulation policies. However, the nexus between the growing research on macroplastic/MP and the plastic regulation policies in the country is unexplored. Current review suggests that macroplastic/MP research in the Philippines is still in its infancy owing to methodological and technological constraints to apportion the sources and fluxes, characterize macroplastics/MPs, and identify influencing socio-environmental factors. While government efforts are underway, it is also unclear if local researches on macroplastics/MPs were the basis in institutionalizing the existing plastic regulation policies. Therefore the nexus between the researches carried out on this problem and the policies enforced cannot be concluded. Overall, this review presents gaps on the macroplastic/MP research needing more work on the problem to establish a sound science plastic regulation policy. •MP and macroplastic studies in the Philippines marine coastal environment were synthesized.•Physical characterization and visual identification of both MP and macroplastics were carried out.•Methods from reviewed studies were irreconcilable without apportioning possible sources of MP and macroplastics.•Plastic regulation policies were established not necessarily supported by researches on MP and macroplastic.•An observable growing number of plastic regulation policies coincide with the increase on plastic research.