Manila: The Bicameral Conference Committee has approved an additional PHP500 million in the 2026 national budget to support the Related Learning Experience (RLE) expenses of students enrolled in allied health sciences programs. This decision aims to alleviate financial burdens faced by students in these fields.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Bam Aquino played a key role in recommending the allocation under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the Higher Education Development Program. The allied health sciences programs that stand to benefit include Nursing, Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Technology, Midwifery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Speech-Language Pathology, and Human Biology/Pre-Med Allied.
Aquino was made aware of the financial challenges faced by Nursing students during the campaign for the 2025 senatorial elections. These students highlighted the significant expenses associated with the RLE, which is equivalent to on-the-job training (OJT) and necessary for graduation.
The PHP500 million will be used to provide one-time financial support for expenses incurred by students fulfilling their RLE requirements. A special provision in the 2026 budget ensures that low-income students will be prioritized. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will issue guidelines to facilitate equitable and efficient implementation.
Further efforts by Aquino include Senate Bill No. 123, aimed at making RLE free in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs). The proposed measure also allows nursing students in private universities to apply for Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) assistance for RLE-related expenses.
Aquino's advocacy for increased funding also resulted in the bicameral committee approving PHP67 billion for the Free College Law and the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES). The committee also greenlit a historic PHP1.38-trillion budget for education, incorporating PHP68 billion for classroom construction and PHP25.6 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program.
