THE PRACTICE

OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING
REPORTER: RAISAN T. ALCEBAR
1.4 CIVIL
ENGINEERING
SERVICES
 Design, consultations and advice
 Feasibility studies
 Field investigations and engineering data
collection
 Environmental assessments, impact
statements or engineering reports
 Opinions of probable construction cost
 Preliminary and final designs, drawings,
specifications and construction bidding
documents
 Assistance in securing construction bids and
in awarding contracts
 Construction administration and observation
 Arrangements for or performance of testing
of materials and equipment
 Assistance in start-up, assessment of
capacity, and operation of facilities
 Preparation of operation and maintenance
manuals
 Appraisals and rate studies
 Value engineering
 Expert testimony
 Assessment of risks
 Structural remediation or
rehabilitation
 Project Management and controls
 Provision of supplemental temporary
staff
 Teaching
Civil Engineers may also serve as construction
managers or program managers and may
employ other subconsultants and
subcontractors as part of their services.
Specializations in specific areas of engineering:
 Structural and Foundation
 Geotechnical and Environmental
 Water Resources and Hydraulics
 Transportation
 Construction Management and Engineering
1.5
SPECIALIZATION
IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING
The PICE recognizes specializations in the
fields of structural engineering, geotechnical
engineering, water engineering, transportation
engineering, and construction management
and engineering, A Civil Engineer who has
specialized in any area of civil engineering may
be considered as a specialist in the appropriate
field as enumerated.
1.6 SELECTION
OF A CIVIL
ENGINEER
 It is usually advantageous for the client to
select a Civil Engineer who can support the
project from conception through design,
construction, and project start-up.
 Qualifications, experience, reputation, and
quality of client service are of critical
importance in the selection of a Civil Engineer
as a consultant.
 Selection based primarily on cost of services,
with limited consideration of the competence
or expertise of the consultant, can result in
unsatisfactory service to the client and in
higher overall project costs.
 Once a Civil Engineer is selected, detailed
discussions between the engineer and client
to define the scope and expectations of the
engineering services to be provided, are
essential before negotiating a fee for services.
 The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers
supports procedures such as those specified
by CIAP Documents 101 and 102, Executive
Order 164, and PD 1594 as amended.
1.7 PRIME
PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE
The guidelines in this manual refer specifically
to the engagement of engineering services
where the consulting Civil Engineers serve as
the client directly as a prime professional, and
where the client is usually also the owner of
the project. Some information in this manual is
also applicable when the Civil Engineer serves
the client indirectly as a sub-consultant
through another engineer or architect who
serves as the prime professional.
1.8
EMPLOYMENT
The guidelines in this manual also refer to Civil
Engineers employed by professional consulting
firms, government agencies, educational
institutions, construction firms, manufacturing
and commercial entities and other entities.
1.9 DESIGN
COMPETITION
Design competition is a process through which
a Civil Engineer is selected above other
competitors based on proposal or an
innovative approach to solving a client’s
needs.
1.10
CONTINGENCY
BASIS OF
EMPLOYMENT
Canon 5c or the PICE Code or Ethics provides
that Engineers may request, propose or accept
professional commissions on a contingency
basis only under circumstances in which their
professional judgments would not be
compromised.” Although contingent
commissions are permissible, it is the general
view of PICE that it is not in the best interest of
the client or the public for the Civil Engineer to
provide professional services on a contingency
basis.
1.11 PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE
OF FOREIGN CIVIL
ENGINEERS
Foreign Civil Engineers are allowed by law (RA
8981) to practice civil engineering in the
Philippines under the following instances:

1. The laws of the foreigner’s state or country

allow the citizens of the Philippines to
practice civil engineering on the same basis
and grant the same privileges as those
enjoyed by the subjects or citizens of such
foreign state or country.
2. Allowed under international agreement.
3. Consultants to be engaged in foreign-
funded, joint venture or foreign-assisted
projects of the government.
4. Employees of Philippine or foreign private
institutions pursuant to law.
5. Civil Engineers who were former citizens of
the Philippines, who had been registered and
issued a certificate of registration and a
professional identification card prior to their
naturalization as foreign citizens, and who,
while in the country on a visit, sojourn or
permanent residence, desire to practice their
profession.