Dili, 24 October 2024 – Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance, Rigoberto Monteiro, along with Deputy Ombudsman for Human Rights, Maria Marilia da Costa, and other senior officials, presented the proposed budget for the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice Office (PDHJ) for 2025, as well as the execution of the 2024 General State Budget (OJE), to Commission A of the National Parliament.
The proposed budget allocation for the PDHJ in 2025 totals $2,139,368.00. This comprises salaries and wages amounting to $1,402,463.00, which represents 65.5% of the total budget. Current goods and services are allocated $696,905.00, making up 32.6%, while minor capital expenditures are set at $40,000.00, or 1.9%. The budget will finance two programs, seven subprograms, and twenty-one activities, with the Human Rights and Good Governance Program receiving $272,155.00, representing 12.7% of the total. The Institutional Operations and Management budget amounts to $1,867,213.00, or 87.3%.
As of 23 October 2024, the PDHJ’s budget execution rate has reached 70.8%, equating to a nominal value of $1,480,809.00 from the total allocation of $2,061,391.00.
During the meeting, Deputy Ombudsman Monteiro also informed Commission A members about the halted construction of the new PDHJ building, a decision made by the Infrastructure Fund Administration Council (CAFI).
In response, members of Commission A expressed their intention to seek clarification from the government regarding the cancellation. “We will ask for clarification from the government regarding the cancellation of the new PDHJ building,” stated the Chairman of Commission A, Patrocinio Fernandes. Additionally, the deputies expressed their hope that the PDHJ would be able to fully execute its 2024 budget in the near future.
The meeting took place in the Conference Room of the National Parliament, chaired by Vice President of Commission A, Antonio Verdial, and attended by the Chairman, Patrocinio Fernandes, along with other members of parliament.
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