Board of Geology

Code of Ethics for Geologists in the Philippines

Pursuant to Section 3 of Republic Act No. 4209 known as Geology Profession Law of the Philippines
and Section 6 of P.D. No. 223, this Code of Ethics for Geologists in the Philippines is hereby adopted by the
Board of Geology as part of the Rules and Regulations governing the practice of
Geology.
Article I
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Section 1. The practice of geology is a noble profession and the privilege of professional practice
requires the high degree of morality, technical knowledge and personal responsibility.
Section 2. Honesty, integrity, loyalty, fairness, impartially, candor and fidelity shall be ingrained in the
practice of every Geologist.
Section 3. The Geologist shall be guided by the highest ethical principles in the discharge of his duties.
Article II
RELATION OF GEOLOGIST
TO THE COMMUNITY
Section 1. A Geologist shall avoid and discourage sensational, exaggerated and unwarranted
statements. When called upon to give evidence or otherwise to speak on matters of fact, a Geologist shall state
only what he knows to be the facts.
Section 2. A Geologist, who finds that his obligations to his employer are in conflict with his professional
obligations or ethics, shall immediately give to his employer written notice to terminate his employment, unless
the conflict is resolved.
Section 3. A Geologist, having or expecting to have any beneficial interest in a property which he
reports on, must state in his report the existence of such interest or expected interest.
Section 4. A Geologist shall not give a professional
opinion or make a report without being as
thoroughly informed
as might reasonably be expected, considering the
purpose for which the opinion
or report is requested. The degree of completeness of information upon which it is based shall be clearly stated.
Section 5. A Geologist shall not express any professional opinion, which reflects on the ability or
integrity of any person or organization, unless his responsibility to the profession and the community requires
him to do so.
Section 6. A Geologist may publish simple business,
professional or announcement cards but shall
not include therein, or advertise separately his work or accomplishments.
Section 7. A Geologist shall not issue any false statement or false information.
Section 8. The public responsibility of the Geologist shall be paramount at all times. He shall maintain
due regard for the welfare, safety and health of whoever may be affected by his work.
Article III
RELATION OF GEOLOGIST
TO EMPLOYER AND CLIENT
Section 1. A Geologist shall protect the interest of his employer or client, with due regard to public
welfare and his professional honor.
Section 2. A Geologist, who finds that his obligations to his employer are in conflict with his professional
obligations or ethics, shall immediately give to his employer written notice to terminate his employment, unless
the conflict is resolved.
Section 3. A Geologist shall disclose to his prospective employer or client the existence of any mineral
or other interest which he holds, either directly or indirectly, which has any bearing to his employment.
Section 4. A Geologist shall not use, directly or indirectly, any confidential information derived from his
employer or client.

Section 5. A Geologist shall not accept, without his clients written consent, engagement by another,
whenever the interests of the latter shall in any manner conflict with those of his client.
Section 6. A Geologist, who has made an investigation for any employer or client, shall not profit or
attempt to profit from the information gained, unless written permission to do so is granted, or there is no
conflict of interest with his employer or client.
Section 7. A Geologist shall not divulge information given him in confidence and shall not seek to profit
there from.
Section 8. A Geologist shall advise his employer or client to engage the services of other experts and
specialist whenever the latters interest will be best served by such engagement.
Section 9. A Geologist shall not accept any fee for referring a client or employer to an expert or for
recommending geological services other than his own.
Section 10. A Geologist shall faithfully protect the interests of his client or employer in the preparation of
contract documents, supervision of work, preparation of plans, reports and specifications, and the like. In the
interpretation of contract documents; he shall maintain impartiality
between his clients or employer and the contractor.
Section 11. A Geologist shall avoid placing himself under any obligation to any person or organization
to any person or organization who deals with his employer or client. He shall not accept any favor from such
person or organization.
Article IV
RELATION OF GEOLOGIST
TO CO-PROFESSIONALS
Section 1. A Geologist shall not falsely or maliciously injure the reputation or business of another.
Section 2. A Geologist shall give credit for work done by others and shall refrain from plagiarism in oral
and written communications and shall not accept credit rightfully due another.
Section 3. A Geologist shall not use the advantage of a former or present status or position to compete
unfairly with Geologist in private practice, nor use unfairly the advantages of private practice to the detriment of
salaried Geologists.
Section 4. A Geologist shall endeavor to cooperate with other Geologist and shall encourage the ethical
dissemination of geological knowledge.
Section 5. A Geologist, having knowledge of the unethical practice of another Geologist, shall avoid
professional association with the latter.
Section 6. A Geologist shall not injure directly or indirectly, the reputation, prospects or business of
another Geologist. However, whenever he considers a Geologists to be engaged in unethical, illegal or unfair
practice, it is his duty to present his views and the relevant information to the Board of Geology and the
Professional Regulation Commission.
Section 7. A Geologist, especially if he is in a position of authority, shall afford to those under his
direction every reasonable opportunity to advance their knowledge and experience.
Section 8. A Geologist shall give proper credit to any associate, subordinate or employer, who has
contributed to the work for which he is responsible.
Section 9. A Geologist shall not describe himself, or permit himself to be described, as consultant
prominence and is able to act as an independent and unbiased adviser.
EFFECTIVITY
This Code of Ethics shall take effect upon approval hereof by the Commission and after fifteen (15)
days following its publication in the Official Gazette.