Cleaning up Manila Bay is not as simple as picking up trash. For Johnny Ching, assistant vice chancellor for research at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D), this “dynamic” problem of marine litter requires research- and evidence-based solutions. “We’ve had this experience before with tree-planting activities. We thought the solution to deforestation is to plant more trees, but due to the lack of evidence, of reason, most of what was planted turned out to be invasive species,” Ching said. “Instead of solving the problem, we just added to it.”

Villanueva, G. (2025, January 30). Trash in Manila Bay declined in 2024: How to sustain it?. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. B4.