The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the creation of 4,000 uniformed positions in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to help enhance the agency’s operational capabilities.

Of the newly approved positions, 819 are officers while 3,181 are non-officers, according to a DBM news release Thursday.

The approval of the new positions will help the PCG in fulfilling its mandate, particularly in maritime safety administration, marine environmental protection, maritime security and law enforcement and maritime search and rescue, the budget agency said.

“Mahalaga ang gampanin nila sa pagprotekta sa seguridad ng bansa at pag-agapay sa mga kababayan natin tuwing may kalamidad o sakuna (They play an important role in protecting the country’s security and supporting our countrymen whenever there is a calamity or disaster),” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

“That’s why we are one with them in building a more resilient and responsive PCG workforce,” she added.

The PCG’s request to have 4,000 positions is part of the agency’s target for the year 2024 under its seven-year recruitment plan.

The new positions will increase the number of PCG personnel to 34,430 from the current 30,430 authorized positions. (PNA)