Tve-t Soibada, April 14, 2024 – On this Sunday, President Jose Ramos-Horta visited the Soibada Administrative Post, Manatuto Municipality, to inaugurate the recently rehabilitated old swimming pool, statues of Dom André Doutel Sarmento and 3 Dato, the Grotto, and also provide social support to vulnerable families.
The swimming pool inaugurated by the President was the old swimming pool of the Soibada College, which had been abandoned for many years but was rehabilitated in 2022 and 2023 by the Post Administration, including the construction of the Gruta Maria Auxiliadora and monuments for Dom André Doutel Sarmento, Dato Laku (Dato Lakumalik)-Manufahi, Dato Kere (Dato Lakere)-Leohat, and Dato Siri (Dato Sirikeli)-Manlala. The construction of these works was done with a small budget, but with quality, and most of the work was done by the people and youth of Soibada.
During this visit, President Ramos-Horta appreciated the reception organized by the Soibada Post Administration. At this event, the President of the Republic also provided various assistance to vulnerable groups in the area, such as TV and Parabolic equipment for the local PNTL station, sports equipment, musical instruments, books and writing materials for the Presidente Nicolau Lobato Secondary School library, and also basic necessities such as rice, oil, eggs and blankets for the community.
President Ramos-Horta stated: “This community-led initiative is truly important and commendable. I am very happy to see the people of Soibada come together to help those in need and invest in their infrastructure.”
The President also took the opportunity to share personal memories about his time in Soibada during the Portuguese colonial period, recounting his struggle to access food as a young man. While acknowledging the significance of the community’s efforts, President Ramos-Horta stated that the role of the presidency in this case is to provide humanitarian aid, not large-scale interventions, but an initiative to complement the government’s own social support programs.
The President of the Republic noted that his administration has consciously avoided buying new vehicles for the presidential office, but continues to use the vehicles purchased by the previous presidency. “By doing this, we have been able to allocate more resources to support vulnerable communities across Timor-Leste,” said the Head of State.
In addition to the community-led initiatives, President Ramos-Horta also spoke about the support received from international and diplomatic colleagues in Timor-Leste, as well as the recent hiring of two medical professionals to provide specialized care for vulnerable populations across the nation.
Media PR/Tve-t.
