Mayor Low Yen Ling at the Launch of CDC Vouchers Scheme 2025 (May)

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong

Fellow Mayors:

• Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District

• Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of North East District

• Mr Alex Yam, Mayor of North West District

• Mr Fahmi Aliman, Mayor of South East District

Mr Yeo Hiang Meng, BBM, President, Federation of Merchants’ Associations Singapore, Chairman & Managing Director, Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore

Mr Jimmy Toh, Chief Executive Director, People’s Association

Mr Goh Wei Boon, Chief Executive, GovTech

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

Good morning and a very warm welcome to all of you.

It is heartening to see so many familiar faces out of the 280 partners and colleagues who have journeyed with us through the past six tranches of the CDC Vouchers Scheme over the past 3.5 years. Thank you all for taking the time to join us today.

In recent years, we have weathered challenges, from the pandemic to rising costs from global inflationary pressure. But what stood out was the strength of our community spirit.

The CDC Vouchers Scheme has, time and time again, shown our solidarity as a community. In the last 3.5 years, we see families helping one another to claim their CDC vouchers, youth volunteers assisting the digitally less savvy in the 113 Community Centres and Clubs, and Singaporeans donating their vouchers to support meaningful causes.

Just last month, coffeeshop operators like Badaling, Broadway, Chang Cheng, Koufu, Kopitiam and Select Group came together and marked SG60 by supporting the community by offering special SG60 discounts and deals. Singaporeans can get coffee, tea or canned drinks for 60 cents. There are also very affordable set meals for $1.60. It is heartening to see these coffee shop operators step forward to uplift and support the community through this meaningful initiative is encouraging. Their heartening gesture reminds us that we each have the power to make a difference.

Impact of CDC Vouchers Scheme

Today, we launch the 7th tranche of the CDC Vouchers Scheme.

From the start, this scheme was designed with 2 key aims: to support Singaporeans and ease their daily expenses and to support our local heartland businesses.

Every voucher spent is a show of support for your favourite hawker or the neighbourhood shop – these local businesses form a vital part of our social fabric.

For example, since joining the CDC Vouchers Scheme, Yanti’s House of Fashion in Jurong West has gained a local following of “makciks” in the neighbourhood. Its shop owner 40-year-old Ms Yanti, has seen higher customer footfall since the vouchers were introduced 3.5 years ago. In fact, her store is now a daily gathering point for the estate’s makciks! We’re happy for Ms Yanti and other heartland shops!

This is how the CDC Vouchers have brought new customers and helped many heartland shops stay afloat during tough times.

We’ve heard many more accounts - real stories of livelihoods being sustained, bonds established, and communities brought closer through the CDC Vouchers scheme.

For example, Mr Timothy Ng, who runs a stall called thatsmypizza in Bukit Timah, encountered a resident using her own CDC vouchers to help another customer pay when the customer did not have enough money for their order.

We are glad to continue this meaningful initiative, which supports not only our residents but also our heartland shops.

Familiar Claiming Process

Once launched today, residents can claim their CDC vouchers directly at go.gov.sg/cdcv. Many Singaporeans already know how to claim their vouchers – the process is now simple, hassle-free and familiar to many.

We understand that some residents, especially seniors who are less digitally savvy, may still need some support. Help will continue to be available at our 113 community centres and clubs.

If you know someone who may need assistance — a senior, neighbour or family member who is not so mobile, do lend them a hand or refer them to our community centres. That is how we build a more inclusive and caring community together in Singapore.

Closing

The CDC Vouchers Scheme is a multi-ministry, multi-agency collaborative effort united by the shared aim of supporting and uplifting our communities.

The 5 Mayors of CDC would like to thank the many teams behind this nationwide scheme.

• The People’s Association, including the ten divisions that work closely on the scheme and frontline staff across 113 CCs;

• The Ministry of Finance (MOF) for funding the various tranches of digital vouchers;

• GovTech and the OGP as well as SingPass, which have been instrumental in improving the digital experience of the vouchers;

• IMDA and the Singapore Digital Office;

• ESG and its SME Centres @ CDC Business Advisers; and

• Agencies such as SLA, MDDI, SPF, ICA and DOS for their expertise and support.

Special thanks also to:

• The FMAS, HECS and 54 merchant associations;

• Our grassroots adviser, Lee Hui Ying of Nee Soon GRC and leaders for their ground support;

• Our 23,000 participating hawkers and heartland merchants, coffee shops and eight supermarkets with more than 400 outlets;

• Volunteers from various educational institutions; and

• Volunteers from different public agencies.

Thank you all for your contributions.

As we launch this latest tranche, I encourage all Singaporean households to use the CDC vouchers and support our local businesses.

Dine at your neighbourhood food stalls, purchase groceries from participating supermarkets and lend a hand to neighbours needing extra help. That’s the Singapore spirit – caring for one another and growing together.

Let’s continue to work together to build a better future for Singapore and all Singaporeans.

Thank you.