In a significant move to support the next generation of Filipino healthcare professionals, a substantial P500 million has been earmarked in the 2026 national budget specifically to cover the costly Related Learning Experience (RLE) fees for nursing and allied health students nationwide.
Financial Relief for Thousands of Healthcare Students
The funding, which is part of the larger P1.38-trillion education budget, was championed by Senator Bam Aquino. This initiative directly addresses a long-standing financial hurdle that has pushed many students into debt and even forced some to abandon their studies entirely.
For years, students pursuing degrees in nursing, midwifery, medical technology, and other allied health fields have had to pay between P100,000 and P200,000 over four years to complete mandatory hospital training and laboratory requirements. These RLE fees are often separate from tuition, creating a heavy additional burden.
Breaking the Cycle of Debt and Migration
Senator Aquino criticized the current system for placing students in an unfair position, noting that even those enrolled in free college programs or supported by scholarships were not exempt from these steep hospital charges. "The present setup practically forces nursing students to go abroad," Aquino stated.
He explained the difficult cycle families face: "Students often have no choice but to borrow money. The question is how can they repay that on a local nurse’s salary? This system pushes them to work overseas." The new allocation is seen as a crucial step in giving graduates a real choice to build their careers in the Philippines.
How the Funding Will Be Implemented
The P500 million is lodged under the Higher Education Development Program (HEDP). It is designed to cover RLE fees for a wide range of programs including:
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Medical Technology / Medical Laboratory Science
- Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy
- Radiologic Technology, Nutrition, and Dentistry
- Psychology, Biochemistry, and Speech-Language Pathology
An estimated 20,000 students are expected to benefit this year, with each receiving between P10,000 to P20,000 in support. State and Local Universities and Colleges (SUCs/LUCs) will submit projected costs to the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), which will release funds via UniFAST, ensuring RLE charges are removed from enrollment fees.
Students in accredited private institutions can apply for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) for RLE costs, and Ched is mandated to revise TES guidelines to officially recognize these fees.
A Step Toward Lasting Reform
While the 2026 budget allocation provides immediate relief, Senator Aquino is also advocating for a more permanent solution. He is pushing for Senate Bill 123, the proposed Libreng RLE Act, which seeks to institutionalize free clinical training for disadvantaged and "poor but deserving" students in the long term.
This landmark funding represents a major policy shift aimed at strengthening the domestic healthcare workforce by removing a key financial barrier to education and professional entry.
