MANILA — Students in allied health sciences programs will receive financial support for their Related Learning Experience (RLE) requirements after the Bicameral Conference Committee approved Senator Bam Aquino’s proposal to allocate ₱500 million in the 2026 national budget.

The funding, included under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the Higher Education Development Program, is specifically earmarked for financial support to students in Nursing, Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Technology, Midwifery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Speech-Language Pathology, Human Biology/Pre-Med Allied Programs, Dentistry, Biochemistry, and Psychology.

“Iyong RLE na napakamahal, maraming nagda-dropout na nursing students. Ngayon, may subsidiya, kasama na sila,” Aquino said in a television interview, noting that the financial assistance will help prevent dropouts and ensure the completion of clinical training.

The program prioritizes low-income students, with guidelines to be issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure equitable and efficient implementation.

Aquino also filed Senate Bill No. 123 to institutionalize free RLE in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs). Under the proposed measure, nursing students in private universities may apply for Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) assistance for RLE-related expenses.

The bicameral approval also endorsed increased funding for the Free College Law and TES, amounting to ₱67 billion, as well as a P1.38-trillion education budget—the largest in Philippine history—including P68 billion for classroom construction and P25.6 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program.

“This will ease the burden on students and their families, helping them achieve their dreams not only for themselves but also for their loved ones,” Aquino said, highlighting that the proposal was prompted by students’ concerns raised during his 2025 senatorial campaign.