Social Security Act of 2018 aims to make land based and sea based OFWs mandatory members of SSS, which now gives them access to better benefits and ensure the growing number of overseas Filipinos social security protection. It also enhances the range of the funds that SSS can collect, with the 10 million OFWs 43 at present, only 550,000 of them are covered by the voluntary membership. By making them mandatory, it will greatly increase the funds that can be collected and thus also enhance the actuarial life of the state pension fund. Migrant workers can now also enjoy an improved Medical Repatriation Assistance Package (MRAP) due to the signing of a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on the Integrated Policy Guidelines and Procedures in the Conduct of Medical Repatriation of Overseas Filipinos. The JMC aims to streamline the inter-agency efforts of the government in facilitating the MRAP, which aids overseas Filipinos with severe medical illnesses who need to be transported back to the country for further medical care and attention.44 Legislations and Regulations Governing Social Protection in the Country Aside from the programs enumerated in the inventory, effective legislation and policies are required to ensure that the right to social security will be fully realized. Existing legislation, strategies and policies should be reviewed to ensure that they are compatible with obligations arising from the right to social security and should be repealed, amended, or changed if inconsistent with covenant requirements.45 The adoption of the Social Protection Operational Framework meant that policy makers now have a guide in designing legislation and intervention programs for social protection. The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 outlined specific strategies meant to accelerate human capital development, reducing vulnerability of individuals and families, and building safe and secure communities. 46 Annex 3 shows the specific strategies that highlight the social protection initiatives as outlined in the PDP. 43 Dooc statement, “Bicam Oks SS Act of 2018 to strengthen state pension fund” available from https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/appmanager/viewArticle.jsp?page=NR2018_057 (6 June 2019) 44 Joint Memorandum Circular on Medical Repatriation of Overseas Filipinos Signed available from http://www.pmrw.org.ph/2017/06/joint-memorandum-circular-on-medical.html (7 June 2019) 45 Par. 67, “General Comment 19” by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, 2007 13