NDP 2020 Funpacks Will Not Include Plastic Bag, Scarf & Visor
Earlier this week, it was reported that National Day Parade (NDP) 2020 funpacks are going to be distributed to every household in Singapore, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
NDP 2020 Show Will Go On With Parade & Fireworks, Every Home To Get A Funpack
However, the announcement has since attracted criticism from green groups, with some calling it a waste of resources. One petition against the move has since garnered over 75,000 signatures.
On Sunday (24 May), MP Louis Ng penned a Facebook post stating that the NDP Executive Committee (EXCO) is currently exploring an “opt-out option” for this year’s funpacks.
NDP 2020 funpacks are ‘greener’ than those in the past
In his post, Mr Ng said that NDP 2020 funpacks will be more environmentally friendly as compared to those in the past.
NDP 2019 funpack
Source
He shared that himself, the NDP 2020 EXCO, and other green groups have been meeting since last year to discuss the transition.
Even though NDP 2020 would have to be scaled back due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the plans for ‘greener’ funpacks still remain.
According to him, some of the items that will be excluded in this year’s NDP funpacks include:
- Plastic bag
- Single-use plastic bottle
- Physical discount booklets
- Clapper
- Scarf
- Sun Visor
NDP EXCO studying “opt-out option” for funpacks
Mr Ng also responded to concerns over the announcement in which 1.2 million funpacks are to be handed out to every household in the country.
NDP 2018 funpack
Source
He noted that while some households do not want the goodie bags, others may feel otherwise.
In light of this, the NDP EXCO is reportedly studying the possibility of an “opt-out option” alongside other ideas.
Ending his post, Mr Ng urged Singaporeans to share their suggestions on this year’s 2020 so he could help propose them to the relevant parties.
75,000 people sign petition for ‘opt-out option’
Earlier, the NDP 2020 committee announced that this year’s parade will be decentralised and more inclusive.
Part of this involves the handing out of 1.2 million funpacks to every household in Singapore.
Soon after the announcement, a change.org petition was launched calling for an ‘opt-out’ option for those who do not want the funpacks.
The petition, named “Opt-out from receiving NDP 2020 funpack”, claims the resources used for the goodie bag could be better channelled elsewhere amid these gloomy times.
It has since garnered over 75,000 signatures at the time of this article.
Share your suggestions!
We are glad that the NDP 2020 organisers are listening to Singaporeans’ concerns and are working out ways to make our nation’s birthday celebration a joyous one for all.
That said, do you have any suggestions that would satisfy households on both sides of the alleged divide? Share them in the comments below!
Featured image adapted from Facebook.
