Manila, Dec. 17 -- 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-M...