TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
2b> JlJL-3 P6:06
\
SENATE
s. No. 123
tV'Ci'r
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING STANDARDS FOR RELATED LEARNING 
EXPERIENCES (RLE) IN NURSING EDUCATION, PROHIBITING THE 
COLLECTION OF RLE FEES IN STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
(SUCs) AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES (LUCs), AND 
PROVIDING FUNDING SUPPORT THROUGH THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION (CHED)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Related Learning Experiences (RLE) are a vital component of nursing education, 
providing students with hands-on clinical training and essential exposure to real-world 
healthcare settings. Under CHED Memorandum Order No. 14, Series of 2009, RLEs 
are mandated components of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and 
are integral to the development of competent Filipino nurses.
Despite public investments in higher education through the Universal Access to 
Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA10931), many nursing students in State Universities 
and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) continue to bear 
additional financial burdens due to fees collected for RLEs. These fees, often including 
training, transportation, insurance, and clinical site charges, create significant barriers 
to students from low-income ftimllles.
This bill seeks to institutionalize the non-collection of RLE fees in SUCs and 
LUCs from students, while mandating these institutions to submit projected RLE 
expenses to CHED for funding through the regular budget or UniFAST allocations. The 
measure also expands eligibility for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) to cover RLE 
fees of nursing students in accredited private higher education Institutions.
By standardizing the delivery and financing of RLEs across public and private 
institutions, this bill reinforces the State's commitment to accessible and inclusive 
nursing education and strengthens the country's health workforce development.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill Is earnestly sought.


TWENTEETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25
SENATE
123
S. No.
-3
P6
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING STANDARDS FOR RELATED LEARNING 
EXPERIENCES (RLE) IN NURSING EDUCATION, PROHIBITING THE 
COLLECTION OF RLE FEES IN STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES 
(SUCs) AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES (LUCs), AND 
PROVIDING FUNDING SUPPORT THROUGH THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION (CHED)
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Libreng RLE Act."
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect
3 
and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to take
4 
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all, pursuant to Article XIV,
5 
Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Consistent with this mandate, and
6 
recognizing the crucial role of Related Learning Experiences (RLE) in nursing
7 
education, the State shall institutionalize standards for RLE and ensure that no
8 
additional financial burden shall be imposed on nursing students in the country for the
9 
conduct of such activities.
10
Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to:
11
12
a. All SUCs and LUCs offering nursing education programs duly recognized by 
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);


1 
b. All private higher education institutions (HEIs) with CHED-accredited
2 
nursing programs; and
3 
c. All nursing students enrolled in recognized nursing education programs in
4 
the Philippines.
5 
Sec. 4. Standards for Related Learning Experiences (RLE). - CHED shall
6 
institutionalize and enforce standards for the conduct of RLEs. These standards shall
7 
guarantee the provision of quality clinical instruction and learning environments,
8 
adequate clinical partnerships, and competent supervision of nursing students.
9 
Sec. 5. Prohibition on Collection of RLE Fees in SUCs and LUCs. - No SUC or
10 
LUC shall collect fees or charges from nursing students for the conduct of RLEs that
11 
are part of their approved academic program. All RLE-related expenses shall be
12 
considered part of the tuition or institutional costs charged to the government through
13 
the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFASTO.
14 
Sec. 6. Budgeting and Funding of RLE in SUCs and LUCs. - All SUCs and LUCs
15 
offering nursing programs shall submit projected RLE expenses to CHED annually.
16 
CHED shall evaluate and consolidate these for inclusion in its annual budget proposal
17 
to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Approved funding shall be
18 
disbursed to SUCs and LUCs through UniFAST or other designated CHED mechanisms.
19 
Sec. 7. Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) for Nursing Students in Private HEIs.
20 
- Nursing students enrolled in accredited private HEIs may apply for assistance for
21 
RLE-related expenses under the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program pursuant
22 
to Republic Act No. 10931. TES guidelines shall be updated to include RLE fees as
23 
allowable costs.
24 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
25 
the effectivity of this Act, CHED, in coordination with DBM and UniFAST, shall
26 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions
27 
of this Act.


1 
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary to implement the provisions
2 
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) under the
3 
CHED budget and UniFAST Fund.
4 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
5 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the provisions shall not be affected.
6 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
7 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
8 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
9 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,