Dili, January 15, 2026 (Media Democracia) – The IX Constitutional Government, through the Ministry for Veterans Affairs (MAKLN), together with the Council of National Liberation Combatants (CCLN), officially opened the first phase of veteran pension payments for a total of 15,697 combatants at the MAKLN office in Comoro, Dili, starting on 15 December 2025.
The Minister for Veterans Affairs, Gil da Costa Monteiro, also known as “Oan Soru,” provided an update stating that payment vouchers issued by the technical team of the National Directorate for Pensions and Subsidies (DNPS) to beneficiaries from 15 December 2025 to 12 January 2026 totaled 8,174 vouchers, representing 52 percent of the overall beneficiaries.
“We have been providing services and issuing payment vouchers to combatants since 15 December 2025. As of yesterday, 12 January 2026, we have issued payment vouchers to 8,174 individuals. Issuing this voucher means that combatants can take it to the bank, where the bank will immediately process the payment, as each beneficiary already has an account with their respective commercial bank,” said Minister Gil da Costa Monteiro.
The Minister further explained the distribution by municipality, noting that of the total beneficiaries, 403 (66%) are from Aileu Municipality, 681 (68%) from Ainaro, 6 (86%) from Atauro, 392 (46%) from Baucau, 664 (58%) from Bobonaro, 798 (71%) from Covalima, 2,741 (70%) from Dili, 837 (90%) from Ermera, 761 (26%) from Lautem, 384 (30%) from Liquiça, 209 (31%) from Manatuto, 132 (27%) from Manufahi, 11 (22%) from Oecusse, 136 (21%) from Viqueque, and 19 (35%) from other areas.
“Issues remain in all municipalities that have not yet completed the process. Each municipality has its own schedule and number of people to be served. Sometimes beneficiaries arrive mixed from different municipalities or outside their scheduled time, but we continue to serve them until the process is completed,” the Minister explained.
The Minister emphasized that even municipalities that have not yet completed the process are still welcome to come forward. Although some combatants arrive outside their assigned schedule or from different municipalities, MAKLN continues to provide services to ensure the payment process can be completed.
He further explained that beneficiaries currently receiving payments include combatants registered under the Second Registration of 2009, totaling 92,591 individuals. Of these, 61,711 cases are still under claims and contestation, while 30,880 beneficiaries are in the process of receiving payments, with some already having received them.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Media MAKLN