Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has approved the creation of 4,000 uniformed positions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, encompassing 819 officers and 3,181 non-officers, of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The creation of additional positions aims to bolster PCG’s core functions, including maritime safety administration, marine environmental protection, maritime security and law enforcement, and maritime search and rescue.

“This significant development will surely boost the operational capabilities of our brave men and women in the Philippine Coast Guard. Mahalaga ang gampanin nila sa pagprotekta sa seguridad ng bansa at pag-agapay sa mga kababayan natin tuwing may kalamidad o sakuna. That’s why we are one with them in building a more resilient and responsive PCG workforce,” said Secretary Pangandaman.

Besides responding to and assisting in disasters, the PCG has the duty to strengthen the monitoring and maintenance of order in the West Philippine Sea to protect the territory of the Philippines against any abuses and incursions by foreign ships. As part of the Bagong Pilipinas program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the PCG continues to enhance its facilities and operations to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos.

The PCG’s request to create 4,000 positions is part of the agency’s 2024 target under its 7-year Recruitment Plan.

The said Recruitment Plan, with a total ideal number of 37,869 positions distributed following the PCG’s pyramidal organization structure, is set to be implemented until FY 2026. This implementation considers the necessary capacity building of its uniformed personnel and recent developments in the maritime sector, both domestically and internationally.

The subject creation of positions shall increase the manpower of the PCG to 34,430 from the existing 30,430 authorized positions.