3 algal blooms. Algal blooms impact aquaculture either due to its toxic nature or by further reducing the oxygen content of the water. Ocean acidification on the other hand is also likely to compromise large-scale commercial shellfish culture. Moreover, unregulated and mismanaged mariculture can result in eutrophication, anoxia and toxicity causing massive fish kills (San Diego-McGlone et al., 2008; David, et al., 2014) and actually exacerbate the climate story. Our high biodiversity reduces the overall vulnerability since species having similar ecosystem functions allow for adaptation to slow changes. [1] There is need therefore to conserve and protect the different alluvial, estuarine and coastal habitats – especially those identified as spawning and nursery grounds. Corollary to this, increase human utilization of the coastal zone, if mismanaged, can further exacerbate the vulnerability. [2] A comprehensive ridgeto-reef management must therefore be put into place to mitigate human activities that lead to increase input of nutrients and pollutants or alter the natural buffering capacity of these biodiverse habitats. [3] The opportunities to enhance our food security through mariculture should also be fully realized by exploring culture of other indigenous climate tolerant species without compromising the existing natural biodiversity. [4] In order to do these, careful site selection must be undertaken – taking into consideration local water renewal, the history & potential of an area for climate-related or bio-chemical stress (e.g. HABs), and potential impact of the mariculture area to surrounding habitat. Enhancement of the adaptive capacity of coastal communities therefore relies heavily on the LGUs through the Philippine local government code. Coastal LGUs need to be made to understand and appreciate their role in the transition towards a climate adapted archipelago. Their decisions will need to take into account social and economic, as well as, ecological concerns. [5] Hence, decision makers need to be provided assessments of valuation of coastal ecosystem services, as well as, adaptations costs and benefits. Further, there are still uncertainties on the magnitude of local future scenarios and consequently lack of quantitative predictions of local future coastal changes. [6] There is need to develop local predictive models based in multi-stressor observations and experiments in detailed levels of space and time. Finally, all these science-based data will then have to be communicated to decision-makers and institutions so that their role in the transition towards a climate adapted archipelago may be realized. [7] Therefore, there is a serious need to strengthen the science-to-policy communication. Nothing further. _____________________________________ Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone, Ph.D Date of signing: