Lesson 1

CODE OF ETHICS CANON 2

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
CIVIL ENGINEERS uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the civil engineering profession by:
1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment;
Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
2. Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers/employees and clients;
3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the civil engineering profession; and
a. Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when qualified
4. Supporting the professional and technical societies of the discipline. by education or experience in the technical field of engineering involved.
FUNDAMENTAL CANONS
1. Civil Engineers shall hold paramount the b. Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of
safety, health and welfare of the public and
shall strive to comply with the principles of their own fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those
sustainable development in the performance
of their duties. phases of the project in which they are qualified. All other phases of such project
2. Civil Engineers shall perform services only in
areas of their competence. shall be performed by qualified associates, consultants, or employees.
3. Civil Engineers shall issue public statements
only in an objective and truthful manner. c. Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any engineering plan or
4. Civil Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
document dealing with subject mattering which they lack competence by virtue of
6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession and shall act with zero tolerance for education or experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared
bribery, fraud, and corruption.
7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those under their supervisory control.
engineers under their supervision.
GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE UNDER THE
FUNDAMENTALS CANONS OF ETHICS
CANON 1
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and CANON 3
welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the
principles of sustainable development in the
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an
performance of their professional duties.
a. Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health
objective and truthful manner.
and welfare of the general public are dependent
upon engineering judgments, decisions, and practices
a. Engineers should endeavor to extend the public
incorporated into structures, machines, products,
processes and devices.
knowledge of engineering and sustainable
b. Engineers shall approve or seal only those design
documents, reviewed or pre- pared by them, which
development, and shall not participate in the
are determined to be safe for public health and
welfare in conformity with accepted engineering
dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated
standards. statements regarding engineering.
c. Engineers whose professional judgment is
overruled under circumstances where the safety, b. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in
health and welfare of the public are
endangered, or the principles of sustainable professional reports, statements, or testimony.
development ignored, shall inform their clients
or employers of the possible consequences. They shall include all relevant and pertinent
d. Engineers who have knowledge or reason to
believe that another person or firm may be in
information in such reports, statements, or
violation of any of the provisions of Canon 1
shall present such information to the proper
testimony.
authority in writing and shall cooperate with the
proper authority in furnishing such further
information or assistance as may be required.
c. Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion
e. Engineers should seek opportunities to be of only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a back- ground
constructive service in civic affairs and work
for the advancement of the safety, health of technical competence, and upon honest conviction.
and well-being of their communities, and the
protection of the environment through the
d. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on engineering
practice of sustain- able development.
f. Engineers should be committed to improving
matters which are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on
the environment by adherence to the
principles of sustainable development so as
whose behalf the statements are made.
to enhance the quality of life of the general
public.
e. Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and
will avoid any act tending to promote their own interest sat the expense of the
integrity, honor, and dignity of the profession.
 CANON 4
Engineers shall act in professional matters for
each employer or client as faithful agents or
trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
a. Engineers shall avoid all known or potential
conflicts of interest with their employers or
clients and shall promptly inform their
employers or clients of any business
association, interests, or circumstances which
could influence their judgment or the quality
of their services.
b. Engineers shall not accept compensation
from more than one party for services on the
same project, or for services pertaining to
the same project, unless the circumstances
are fully disclosed to and agreed to, by all
interested parties.
c. Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities,
directly or indirectly, from contractors, their
agents, or other parties dealing with their
clients or employers in connection with work
for which they are responsible.
d. Engineers in public service as members,
advisors, or employees of a governmental
body or department shall not participate in
considerations or actions with respect to
services solicited or provided by them or
their organization in private or public
engineering practice.
e. Engineers shall advise their employers or
clients when, as a result of their studies, they
believe a project will not be successful.
f. Engineers shall not use confidential
information coming to them in the course of
their assignments as a means of making
personal profit if such action is adverse to
the interests of their clients, employers or
the public.
g. Engineers shall not accept professional
employment outside of their regular work or
interest without the knowledge of their
employers.
CANON 5
Engineers shall build their professional
reputation on the merit of their services and
shall not compete unfairly with others.
a. Engineers shall not give, solicit or receive
either directly or indirectly, any political
contribution, gratuity, or unlawful
consideration in order to secure work,
exclusive of securing salaried positions
through employment agencies.
b. Engineers should negotiate contracts for
professional services fairly and on the basis of
demonstrated competence and qualifications
for the type of professional service required.
c. Engineers may request, propose or accept
professional commissions on a contingent basis
only under circumstances in which their
professional judgments would not be
compromised.
d. Engineers shall not falsify or permit
misrepresentation of their academic or
professional qualifications or experience.
e. Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work
to those to whom credit is due, and shall recognize the
proprietary interests of others. Whenever possible, they
shall name the person or persons who may be
responsible for designs, inventions, writings or other
accomplishments.
f. Engineers may advertise professional services in a way
that does not contain misleading language or is in any
other manner derogatory to the dignity of the
profession. Examples of permissible advertising are as
follows:
▪ Professional cards in recognized, dignified publications, and
listings in rosters or directories published by responsible
organizations, provided that the cards or listings are consistent
in size and content and are in a section of the publication
regularly devoted to such professional cards.
▪ Brochures which factually describe experience, facilities, personnel and capacity to render service, providing they are not misleading with
respect to the engineer’s participation in projects described.
▪ Display advertising in recognized dignified business and professional publications, providing it is factual and is not misleading with respect
to the engineer's extent of participation in projects described.
▪ A statement of the engineers’ names or the name of the firm and statement of the type of service posted on projects for which they
render services.
▪ Preparation or authorization of descriptive articles for the lay or technical press, which are factual and dignified. Such articles shall not
imply any- thing more than direct participation in the project described.
▪ Permission by engineers for their names to be used in commercial advertisements, such as may be published by contractors, material
suppliers, etc., only by means of a modest, dignified notation acknowledging the engineers 'participation in the project described. Such
permission shall not include public endorsement of proprietary products.
g. Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely,
directly or indirectly, injure the professional
reputation, prospects, practice or
employment of another engineer or
indiscriminately criticize another's work.
h. Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies,
and laboratory or office facilities of their
employers to carry on outside private
practice without the consent of their
employers.
Lesson 2
 Section 3. CLIENT-CIVIL ENGINEER RELATIONSHIPS Section 4. CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES
MAINTAINING THE RELATIONSHIP TYPICAL SERVICES MAY INCLUDE:
•Maintaining a superior client relationship means going above and •Design, consultation and services
beyond the competitors. •Feasibility studies
•Clients can acquire engineering services from may sources. •Field investigation and engineering data
•High score in “client service’ have become of paramount importance •Environment assessments, impact statement of Engineering reports
for obtaining and maintaining the “outstanding "rating category. •Opinions of probable construction cost
•Going above and beyond the competitors most likely will involve •Preliminary and final designs, drawing, specification and construction
personalized service like making deliveries by hand, exhibiting bidding documents.
flexibility when scheduling meetings to the client’s preferred date or • Assistance in securing construction bids and in awarding contracts
location, providing extra copies, or sending technical articles related • Construction administration and observation
to the client's business. • Arrangements for or performance or testing materials and equipment.
•Whatever the service is, it should be performed with thought and the • Assistance in start-up, assessment of capacity and operation of facilities
intention of benefitting the client. • Preparation of operation and maintenance manuals
OBLIGATIONS • Appraisals and rate studies
THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER INCLUDE: • Value engineering
1. The civil engineer shall perform scope of the services as stated in • Expert testimony
Section 2. • Assessment of risks
2. The civil engineer shall exercise reasons reasonable skill, care and • Structural remediation or rehabilitation
diligence in the performance of this obligations. • Project management and controls
3. The civil engineer shall act independently and as required by the • Provision of supplements temporary staff
contract, perform with necessary skills and professional judgement, • Teaching
when required to certify, decide or exercise discretion between the Section 5. SPECIALIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
client and a Third party with whom the client has a contract. - Within the practice of Civil Engineering, the PICE recognizes the initial
4. The civil engineers is authorized to act as the client's faithful agent six areas of specialization.
when required but only as implied in Section 2 or implied in the •Structural Engineering
contract adopted for the project. •Geotechnical Engineering
5. When aware of any matters which will change or has changed the scope of the services, the Civil Engineer shall given written notice to the client containing particulars of the change. •Water Engineering
6. For Specified Staged Services, the Civil Engineer shall not initiate or proceed with any subsequent stage of the Services without the approval of the Client. •Transportation Engineering
7. When required, the Civil Engineer shall direct and co-operate with all other professionals and integrate their work where applicable into the being undertaken by the Civil Engineer and other •Construction Management and Engineering
professionals, but shall not be professionally liable for their work. •Environmental Engineering
8. The Civil Engineer may recommend specialist suppliers and/or contractors to design and execute certain parts of the works, in which case the Civil Engineer shall coordinate the design of such part - A Civil Engineer who was specialized in any area of Civil Engineering
or parts with overall design of the works but he shall be relieved of all responsibility for the design, manufacture, installation and performance of any such part or parts of the works. The Civil Engineer maybe considered as specialist in the appropriate field as
shall not be liable for acts of negligence, default or omission by such person or persons. enumerated.
9. The Civil Engineer shall notify the Client of any interest the Civil Engineer has which may significantly conflict with the interest of the client under their contract. Section 6. SELECTION OF A CIVIL ENGINEER- As a Civil Engineer the most important decisions to be made during the development of an Engineering project is the ENGAGEMENT.
OBLIGATION OF THE CLIENT - Several Factors need to be considered as a Civil Engineer, that may affect life cycle cost.
The client shall pay the Civil Engineer for his Service. • Objective and commitment of financial resources
1. The client shall provide the Civil Engineer within reasonable time. • Soundness of design
2. The client shall cooperate with the Civil Engineer. • Suitability of the project
3. The Client must be practicable and make arrangements to enable the Civil Engineer to enter the site. • Organization
4. The Client shall arrange for the provision of services from other professionals. • Skill
5. When the Civil Engineer is required to supervise the work of the other professionals contracted by the Client is required to act as Engineer-to-the Contract for any contract. • Integrity
6. When aware of any matter which will change the scope of the Civil Engineer's Services, the client shall notify in writing with 7 days. - The full range of engineering services were cost the amount not less than1-2% of the life cycle in the most construction project.
LIABILITY OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND THE - Therefore, the client’s best in the best interest is to engage the most qualified and reputable Civil Engineers and Engineering firm.
CLIENT Section 7. PRIME PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
•The Civil Engineer shall only be liable to pay damages to the client in •This refers to the engagement if Engineering services where the
connection with their Agreement if a breach of duty of care is consulting Civil Engineering serve as the client directly as price
established. professional and where the client is usually also the owner of the
A LIMITATION OR CIVIL ENGINEER’S project.
RESPONSIBILITY Section 8. EMPLOYMENT
1. The Civil Engineering shall have no responsibility for cost, loss or Section 9. DESIGN COMPETITION AND
damage arising from any errors from data, documents, plans and section 10. CONTINGENCY BASIS OF EMPLOYMENT
design or specifications not prepared by him/her.
2. Civil Engineer shall not be held to have made any warranty or Section 11. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF FOREIGN
promise as to the suitability and performance of any other CIVIL ENGINEERS
consultant or any third party. Foreign Civil Engineers are allowed by law (see RA 8991) to practice
3. Civil Engineering shall not be responsible for the techniques, Civil Engineering in the Philippines under the following instances:
programs and procedures adopted by any other third party 1. The laws on the foreigner's state or country allow the citizens of the
responsible for executing any aspects of the project. Philippines to practice Civil Engineering on the same basis and grant
the same privileges as those enjoyed by the subject or citizens of
DAMAGES such foreign state or country.
1. Damages payable shall be limited to the amount of 2. Allowed under international agreement.
countable loss and damage suffered as a direct result of 3. Consultants to be engaged in foreign-funded, joint venture or
such breach. foreign-assisted projects of the government.
2. The maximum amount of damages payable in respect of 4. Employees of the Philippines or Foreign private institution pursuant
liability, whether under the law or contract is limited to the of law.
limited to the amount specified in the Specific Provision.
3. If found to be liable, in circumstances where the acts of a 5. Civil Engineers who were former citizens of the Philippines, who
third party have contributed to the loss, the proportion of had been registered an disused a certificate of registration and
damages payable shall be limited to that proportion. professional identification card prior to their naturalization as
foreign citizens, and who while in the country on a visit. Sojourn or
SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF SERVICES permanent residence, desire to practice their profession. The
1. If circumstances arise in a certain Agreement of Services, Civil application of the law I however not automatic. Foreign Civil
Engineer shall promptly notify the client. Engineers must still secure a certificate of registration/license or
2. If the project had been suspended, the time for their completion special permit from the Professional Regulation Commission,
shall be extended. Agencies, organizations or individuals, whether public or private,
3. The client may suspend all or part of the services or terminate the who secure the service of a foreign Civil Engineers, are made
Agreement by written notice of not less than 30 days to the Civil responsible by law (RA 8991) for securing a special permits from the
Engineer. PRC and the Department of labor and Employment pursuant to
4. The Civil Engineer by written notice if not less than 30 days may their respective rules.
terminate the Agreement or at his or her discretion without
prejudice to the right to terminate, suspend the performance of the
whole part or the services under the following conditions:
Lesson 3
 CLASSIFICATION OF
ENGINEERING SERVICES
•Consultants may be engaged to provide consulting services or to
conduct various types of studies or investigations. These services
primarily deal with collecting, interpreting, and reporting information,
as well as formulating conclusions and making recommendations.
•The scope of services for this category includes:
▪Collection interpretation, and reporting information
▪Formulate conclusions
▪Give recommendations
•PRELIMINARY AND FEASIBILITY INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS
▪Before allocation of funds for a project, extensive investigations and analyses
should be done with comparisons of potential plans. The basis for
conclusions and recommendations for undertaking a project are the
following:
1. Environmental impact of the project
2. Sustainable development
3. Operating costs
4. Life-cycle costs
5. Financing considerations
6. Expected revenues
•PLANNING STUDIES
▪Civil engineer services cover the following:
1. Developing engineering requirements for master plans
2. Improvement plans
3. Preliminary engineering studies of land development plans
4. Urban plans
5. Regional plans
6. Investigations of environmental conditions
•APPRAISALS, VALUATIONS AND RATE STUDIES
▪The service covers the establishment of prospective rates in evaluating
properties through:
1. analysis of existing conditions
2. capital and operating costs
3. overhead costs
4. financing costs
5. revenues
•ASSISTANCE IN FINANCIAL MATTERS
▪For clients who intend to issue revenue bonds (Wikipedia: a special type
of municipal bond distinguished by its guarantee of repayment solely
from revenues generated by a specified revenue-generating entity),
engineering services include:
1. evaluation of the capabilities of facilities to meet needs
2. probable construction costs
3. annual revenue requirements
•There are six construction phases where civil engineering services are
required.
▪STUDY AND REPORT PHASE
▪PRELIMINARY DESIGN PHASE
▪FINAL DESIGN PHASE
▪BIDDING OR NEGOTIATING PHASE
▪CONSTRUCTION PHASE
▪OPERATION PHASE
•A civil engineer can work as a contractor. However, this is true only
after the civil engineer is licensed as a contractor by the Philippine
Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).
•Section 23 of RA 544 states that only registered civil engineers can
take charge or supervise construction or alteration of any building or
structure and other engineering works.
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
•RA 4566 (CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE LAW)
▪"R.A. 4566 as amended by P.D. No. 1746 provides that no contractor
(including sub-contractor and specialty contractor) shall engage in the
business of contracting without first having secured a PCAB license to conduct
business. It is an offense to engage in contracting business without a license
first being obtained." [Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines]
•TYPES OF CONTRACTORS LICENSE
▪Regular license - Issued to a domestic construction firm ( a sole
proprietorship/partnership/corporation with at least 60% Filipino equity.
▪Special license - Issued to a joint venture, a consortium, a foreign contractor,
or a project owner who authorizes the licensee to engage only in the
construction or a single, specific project/undertaking.
•AUTHORIZED MANAGING OFFICERS
▪The qualifications to be an AMO:
1. Senior Executive of a company
2. With at least 2 years experience in implementing a construction project
in a managerial or supervisory capacity; and
3. Nominated by the firm and possessing managerial powers
SPECIAL SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION
•Special services in the profession include:
▪Geotechnical Engineering including test borings, sampling and analysis, and
recommendation on soils.
▪Establishment of design criteria or demonstrate compliance
▪Surveying works. Land surveys, establishment of boundaries and monuments,
preparation of easement descriptions, topographic surveys
▪Shop or laboratory inspections
▪Reproduction of reports, drawings, specifications, and documents required
for bidding and construction
▪Value engineering
▪Extra travel and subsistence
SPECIAL SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION
▪Redesign to reflect changes by the client
▪Assistance to client as an expert witness in litigation
▪Final investigation
▪Preparation of documents for public works
▪Land planning and partitioning activities
▪Environmental assessments and impact statements
▪Computer simulation and modeling
▪Assistance to the client in the selection and engagement of contractors and
subcontractors.
ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES
•General engineering support services are as follows:
▪Drafting. Also called technical drawing, this is the creation of accurate
representations of objects, buildings or houses for engineering purposes.
▪Land and construction surveying. Surveying works to establish the major
features of the land surface, which can be affected with upcoming
construction.
▪Procurement of adequate and correct data. These are information which
need sound engineering judgment and guidance.
ACADEMIC SERVICES
•Academic services of civil engineers include full or part-time teaching
or training. These services include:
▪Teaching of civil engineering courses in colleges/universities. RA 8981 states
that all subjects for licensure examinations shall be taught by registered
professionals and who comply with CHED requirements.
▪Lecturing in PICE seminars for CPD credits.
▪Conducting tutorials/refresher courses on civil engineering subjects
▪A Resource Speaker in Technical Session
▪Writing technical articles
SERVICES AS EMPLOYEE
•A civil engineer can be employed in any institutional or commercial
functions.
•For part-time employment, as an employee and a consultant, the civil
engineer should be compliant to the two different standards - as an
employee and as a consultant.
•If the civil engineer is employed in a consulting firm, he should
comply with the standards of the firm or the consulting civil engineer.
•Civil engineers working in the government are governed by laws
prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.