Another campaign promise of Senator Bam Aquino has been realized following the formal launch of the Related Learning Experience (RLE) financial assistance program by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the AHEAD (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) Grant on May 25, 2026.
Aquino helped secure a ₱500-million allocation in the 2026 national budget to assist nursing and allied health sciences students with expenses related to their RLE requirements and clinical internships during his stint as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
In a Facebook post, the senator announced that around 19,000 qualified allied health students may receive a one-time ₱25,000 subsidy under the AHEAD program.
“Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga nursing at allied health students na matagal ding nag-alala kung paano mababayaran ang kanilang Related Learning Experience (RLE) at clinical internship fees habang nagsasanay para makapaglingkod sa bayan,” Sen. Bam said.
During the 2025 senatorial campaign, Aquino repeatedly met with nursing students and vowed to address concerns regarding the high cost of RLE, a graduation requirement comparable to on-the-job training (OJT) for healthcare students.
The senator described the launch of the program as an important step toward helping more young Filipinos pursue careers in healthcare.
“Matagal nating ipinaglaban na mabigyan ng suporta ang ating mga future healthcare professionals, kaya naman napakahalagang hakbang ng paglulunsad ng AHEAD (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) grant ng CHED upang mas marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang makapagpatuloy sa kanilang pag-aaral at mas mapalapit sa kanilang pangarap na maging healthcare professionals,” he stressed.
Aquino also thanked CHED, led by Shirley Agrupis, for quickly developing the program, releasing its guidelines, and creating the online application portal for students.
During the program launch, 10 nursing students from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina participated in a ceremonial enrollment through the AHEAD online portal.
The AHEAD grant aims to ease the financial burden of clinical training and internship requirements for aspiring healthcare professionals, allowing more students to complete their education and eventually serve in the country’s healthcare sector.
