SENATOR Bam Aquino welcomed the enactment of amendments to the landmark Free College Law, saying the new measure strengthens government assistance for Filipino students by providing financial support for internships and Related Learning Experience (RLE) requirements.

Aquino made the statement following the ceremonial signing of Republic Act No. 12325, or the Act Enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, in Malacañang.

The new law amends Republic Act No. 10931, which established free tuition in state universities and colleges and was principally sponsored by Aquino in 2017.

According to the senator, the amendments will ensure that students who need government assistance the most receive greater support, particularly those enrolled in nursing and allied health sciences programs.

Aquino said one of the key provisions he fought for was the inclusion of financial assistance for RLE and internship requirements, fulfilling a commitment he made during his 2025 senatorial campaign. He pushed for the provision during the bicameral conference committee as a co-author of the measure in the Senate.

The senator noted that RLE expenses typically range from ₱20,000 to ₱80,000, placing a heavy financial burden on many nursing and allied health students. He said the high cost has forced some students to delay or even abandon their studies.

Earlier, Aquino secured ₱500 million under the 2026 national budget for the Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students Grant.

The program provides qualified students with a one-time ₱25,000 grant to help cover RLE expenses and is expected to benefit around 19,000 allied health sciences students.

Since the implementation of the Free College Law in 2018, more than five million students have benefited from the program through Academic Year 2025–2026, making it one of the country’s largest higher education assistance initiatives.