March on, Grab drivers and accountants: How do businesses participate in the marching contingent of the National Day Parade?

In just a few short days, Singapore will celebrate her 61st birthday and the first to be held at the National Stadium since 2016. Amidst the military displays and celebratory performances, one highlight of the parade is the marching contingent, where volunteers from Singapore businesses take part.

While some homegrown businesses, such as Singtel and DBS, have been marching in the contingent for over 50 years, others like Grab and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants are newer additions. Grab is taking part for the fifth year while this is the very first time that the ISCA is involved.

These companies will be marching as part of the 26 civilian contingents that represent the social, psychological, economic and digital pillars of total defence. Amongst the other companies taking part are businesses who are seen to contribute to national unity and economic development such as Seatrium (which provides engineering solutions for the offshore, marine, and energy industries) and PSA amongst others.

How do companies join the marching contingent of the National Day Parade?

The Peak understands that there are a number of ways companies can get involved in the NDP’s marching contingent.

For first-timers ISCA, it began with an application. “ISCA expressed interest in taking part and submitted an application. We are honoured to have been selected to lead a civilian contingent representing Singapore’s accountancy profession at NDP 2026,” says Soh Suat Lay, Divisional Director (Membership & Stakeholders Engagement) at the national accountancy body, which has over 46,000 members. As for their reason to get involved this year, Soh says, “We wanted to showcase the profession on the national stage, through the diverse individuals who contribute across different sectors and industries and how they are multifaceted people beyond the numbers.”

Grab’s involvement in the NDP started more as a collaboration and as a sponsor. “As we looked for more meaningful ways to support this national celebration, we reached out to the National Day Parade organising committee to express our interest in participating as a marching contingent. Following several rounds of discussions, we were honoured to make our debut in the Parade in 2022,” says a Grab spokesperson. The company has participated for the last five years.

Also taking part this year is PSA, who has participated in the parade on and off for many years. This year, they received an invitation to take part from the NDP Executive Committee. Other companies like Singtel and DBS have both regularly participated since 1976.

For Seatrium, formerly Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Offshore & Marine, it is important to celebrate the country where it has had so much success. “As a global company with deep roots in Singapore, Seatrium’s growth has been closely intertwined with Singapore’s transformation into a leading maritime, energy and offshore engineering hub,” says Lee Chay Hoon, Chief People Officer, Seatrium Limited. “Supporting the National Day Parade for over two decades reflects our commitment to the nation and the communities we serve.”

What does marching at NDP involve?

Participating companies have to make sure their contingents are able to commit to rehearsals that start approximately two and a half months before the actual parade. These rehearsals happen on Saturdays and are roughly from 8am to 8pm. They must also cover the costs of the marching uniforms

.All companies interviewed stressed the importance of their volunteers meeting the eligibility criteria set out by the NDP organising committee. The Peak reached out to the committee on how these companies are selected to be part of the civilian contingents at the annual parade. However, it declined to contribute to this story.

In general, participants must be able to commit to the training schedule, be below 60 years of age and be medically fit for marching. They must also be Singaporean citizens or permanent residents.

For Singtel, who is fielding its first female contingent leader this year, training is supported by senior Singtel management and their subsidiary, NCS, who visited training sessions to lend support and boost morale. They are also supported by Singtel teams coordinating logistics and participant welfare. This year they are sending 56 employees to march.

Who in the companies gets to march at NDP?

Companies often have an internal organising committee who help handle volunteers. At DBS, NDP participation remains highly sought after among its employees with volunteer numbers consistently exceeding available places.

The DBS Recreation Club is responsible for coordinating the company’s volunteer contingent as well as handling the uniforms and other incidentals. More than half of this year’s DBS contingent are returning participants, with one choosing to mark his 10th anniversary with the bank by participating in NDP.

For their first march, ISCA is sending a diverse contingent. “It brings together ISCA members at different stages of their professional journey, from students and young professionals to managers, practitioners, business owners and senior leaders. They also come from across the accountancy ecosystem, including the private sector, public sector, accounting practices, not-for-profit organisations and schools.”

Also reflecting the diversity is Grab’s contingent, whose members were chosen to reflect the super app’s wider community. It includes Grabbers (corporate employees and staff), driver-partners and delivery-partners. “For many participants, marching in the NDP is a bucket-list experience and a proud moment they get to share with their families and loved ones. Beyond the parade itself, the journey has also created lasting friendships across the contingent, bringing together Grabbers, driver-partners and delivery-partners who might never otherwise have met,” says a Grab spokesperson.

This year, PSA will be sending 58 participants including two Contingent Liaison Officers, who will represent the global port operator. They are all volunteers who stepped forward to represent the company.

Says Evelyn Seah, Head of Human Resource, PSA Singapore, “Our participation pays tribute to generations of PSA employees and the wider maritime community whose dedication has helped build Singapore into the world’s largest transhipment hub and a leading International Maritime Centre. It reflects our continued commitment to keeping Singapore connected to the world and supporting its future growth and prosperity.”

Taking part in NDP is now a proud Singtel tradition. Employees find it a meaningful opportunity to support the country and represent their colleagues. There are often returning participants who share their experiences with first-time marchers and who help keep the tradition alive. This year, one of the participants is returning for the 13th time. 

How do companies feel about marching at NDP?

For first-time participants ISCA, there is a lot of excitement around taking part. “There is something very grounding about people from different walks of professional life learning to move as one team,” says Soh.  “The contingent began as a group of ISCA members from different parts of the profession. Through the rehearsals, they have grown into a close and united team.” 

For DBS, it is the continuation of the bank’s long history of growing with Singapore. “DBS was founded in 1968 as the Development Bank of Singapore to help finance Singapore’s development in its early years of nationhood,” says Lim Him Chuan, DBS Singapore Country Head. “This year’s National Day Parade is especially meaningful as it returns to the National Stadium, where DBS first marched in 1976. As we mark 50 years of participation in NDP, it is a reminder of our deep roots in Singapore and of the generations of DBS colleagues who have proudly contributed to the communities we serve.”

“The story of Singapore has always been one of looking beyond the horizon and building for the future,” says Singtel Group CEO Mr Yuen Kuan Moon. “Every generation has played a part in building a stronger foundation for the next and this includes investing in the infrastructure and capabilities that have helped us dream bigger.”

“As AI reshapes economies and societies, we are entering another defining chapter. As national telco to today’s digital infrastructure and services group, we feel privileged that we can continue playing a part in driving Singapore’s Smart Nation ambitions and continued success by building the digital backbone that will help Singapore seize new opportunities in the AI era.” 

SPH Media is a principal partner of National Day 2026.