NDP 2020 Packs To Be Collected From CCs and RCs, Extras Will be Redistributed

Singapore households who are interested to receive this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) pack can do so through collection at Community Clubs (CCs) and Residents’ Committee centres (RCs), said The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on 5 June.  

This will be applicable to Singaporean and Permanent Resident (PR) households. 

Production of Packs Enough for 80% of Households

Last month, many Singaporeans rallied together to sign a petition to opt out of receiving the NDP 2020 funpacks, in hopes for organisers to channel these resources to better use: such as supporting households who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In previous instances of distributing the NDP packs, many have also provided feedback saying that they did not need one, according Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen while speaking in parliament.

NDP pack in 2019. This year’s version will consist of fewer items as part of efforts to reduce wastage. | Photo: glamvibe/Carousell

And these suggestions and concerns have been taken into consideration.

There will be fewer packs produced by the organisers this year, catering to 80 per cent of households rather than the 90 to 95 per cent annually said Dr Ng.

Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Louis Ng also clarified in a Facebook post that while it is not possible to opt-out of the packs, residents can choose not to collect them.

The uncollected packs will be redistributed to vulnerable groups, said the executive committee.

What’s Inside the Singapore Together Pack

There will be 12 items in the 2020 NDP pack instead of the usual 20 to 25 items, the NDP 2020 executive committee stated in a fact sheet. 

As for the bag, it serves as a reusable grocery bag that can be folded into a pouch. According to Dr Ng, the designs featured on the bags will be by artists with disabilities and some Primary Five pupils.

The Singapore Together pack will also contain items that “express our collective love and wishes for Singapore (sic)”, he said.

Items include:

• Two bottles of hand sanitisers
• Thermometer
• Face masks
• A digital discount booklet 
• Two national flags – a full-sized cloth flag and a handheld version
• Iron-on flags – you can attach them onto reusable face masks
• Red-filter mini stickers – you can attach them to phone torches for a “light up moment” on the evening of the NDP
• Face tattoos 
• A pledge card – to encourage Singaporeans to take action towards worthy causes and express their appreciation to frontline COVID-19 workers
• Snacks and canned drinks provided by local food and beverage companies 
• A Singapore Together commemorative magnet

When Can I Collect?

Singapore residents can collect their Singapore Together pack from 20 July 2020 at Community Clubs (CCs) and Residents’ Committee centres. According to the committee, collection is expected to be completed by 2 August.

Each Singaporean and permanent resident household will be able to collect a pack.

Collection points will also be set up where the public can return selected items for redistribution or re-use.

“A Greener NDP”

In his Facebook post, Mr Ng also shared that this year’s National Day will be part of “a greener NDP” with the support of “green groups” and the public’s comments, feedback and suggestions. 

He said that the NDP EXCO has provided a can drink instead of the tetra pak packet drink as cans are more recyclable.

The usual printed discount booklet will also be changed to a digital one.

In addition to cutting down on wastage, especially since families will be staying home, Dr Ng said that there are no single-use water bottles, plastic clappers or packaging in this year’s 2020 NDP pack. 

The Singapore flags will also be given out separately so those who already have the flag need not take another one.

You can view the MP’s full post here:

Lead image via Louis Ng Kok Kwang/Facebook.

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