The Bicameral Conference Committee on Wednesday approved additional PHP500 million funds for the Higher Education Development Program in the 2026 national budget to support the Related Learning Experience (RLE) expenses of students in allied health sciences programs.

In a statement, Senator Bam Aquino said he recommended the addition under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the Higher Education Development Program.

Aquino said allied health sciences programs 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.

The matter was brought to Aquino’s attention during the campaign for the 2025 senatorial elections by Nursing students, who informed him about the high expenses they incur for RLE, which is equivalent to on-the-job training (OJT) and a requirement for graduating nursing students.

Under a special provision in the 2026 budget, the amount will be used to provide one-time financial support to cover expenses incurred by students in allied health sciences programs while fulfilling their RLE requirements.

Low-income students will be prioritized through the guidelines to be issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure equitable and efficient implementation of the provision.

Aquino also filed Senate Bill No. 123, which aims to make RLE free in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs).

Under the proposed measure, nursing students in private universities may apply for TES assistance for RLE-related expenses.

Aquino’s commitment to push for a higher budget for the Free College Law and the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) was also accomplished after the bicameral approved PHP67 billion for the implementation of Republic Act 10931 and increased funding for TES.

The bicameral also approved the PHP1.38-trillion budget for education —the highest in the country’s history— including PHP68 billion for the construction of classrooms and PHP25.6 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program. (PNA)