CIVIL ENGINEERING LAWS

& CODE OF ETHICS

Republic Act No. 544
as amended by R.A. 1582
 an act to regulate the practice of Civil Engineering in the
Philippines
 re-introduced by senator Panfilo M. Lacson as senate bill
no. 2770
 “The civil engineers are constantly challenged to design and
build developments in a manner that is environmentally
sound, socially acceptable, and globally competitive.”
Objectives of Republic Act 544

1. to attune the law to the needs for national development

2. to strengthen the profession and enable the civil engineers to
cope with the formidable challenges brought about by
globalization and cross-border practice
3. to continually upgrade the level of competence of the civil
engineers through:
-peer recognition
-continuing professional development
-strengthening the accredited professional
organization
4. to define more clearly the practice of civil engineering in the
Philippines by foreign nationals
5. to promote the growth of the consulting sector by making it cognizant
of the international philosophy of multi-disciplinary consultancy services
6. to remove a provision that makes contracting of multi-disciplinary
consultancy services unnecessarily difficulty, complicated and
impracticable and which now adversely affects the infrastructure of the
government to the extent that work and payment to contracted parties on
projects are suspended
7. to make the law better serve and safeguard public interest by
establishing a clear, precise and practicable delineation of professional
and corporal contractual accountability in the civil engineering practice
Article I: TITLE OF THE ACT AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

Section 1. Title of Act. This Act shall be known as the “Civil

Engineering Law.”

Section 2. Definition of Terms.

Article II: BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

Section 3. Composition of Board.

Section 4. Powers and Duties of the Board.

Section 5. Qualifications of Board Members.

Section 6. Fees and Compensation of Board.

Section 7. Annual Report.

Article III: EXAMINATION AND
REGISTRATION
Section 8. Examination Requirement.
Section 9. Holding of Examination.
Section 10. Subjects of Examination.
Section 11. Executive Officer of the Board.
Section 12. Qualifications for Examination.
Section 13. Oath of Civil Engineers.
Section 14. Seal and Use of Seal.
Section 15. Exemption from Registration.
Section 16. Refusal to Issue Certificate.
Section 17. Suspension & Revocation of Certs.
Section 18. Re-issue and Replacement of Certs.
Section 19. Transitory Provisions.
Article IV: ENFORCEMENT OF ACT AND PENAL
PROVISIONS

Section 20. Enforcement of the Act by officers of the law.

Section 21. Registration required.

Section 22. Penal provisions.

Article V: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 23. Preparation of plans and supervisions of
construction by registered civil engineer.
Section 24. The practice of civil engineering is a
professional service, admission to which must be
determined upon individual, personal qualifications.
Section 25. Reciprocity requirements.
Section 26. Roster of civil engineers.
Section 27. Repeal.
Section 28. Construction of Act.
Section 29. Effectivity.
CODE OF ETHICS OF
ENGINEERS
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the
engineering profession by:

I. using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
II. being honest and impartial, and servicing with fidelity the public, their
employers and clients;
III.striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering
profession; and
IV.supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.
THE FUNDAMENTAL CANONS

 Approved by the Board of Directors, October 5, 1977

1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of
the public in the performance of their professional duties.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their
competence.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner.
 Code of Ethics
for Civil Engineers
1.     Apply his/her technical skills.

2.     Respect nature while giving the highest priority to the safety, welfare,
and health of generations today and in the future.

3.     Value traditional technology rooted in indigenous cultures.

4.     Perform civil engineering work from a broad perspective.

5.     Publish reports and express opinions based on his/her accumulated

expertise and experience, and live up to his/her own beliefs and
conscience.
6.     Disclose all relevant information.

7.     Keep a fair and impartial attitude.

8.     Act as an honest agent or trustee of the employer or client in regard to

technical work.

9.     Treat everyone fairly without any discrimination against race, religion,

sex, or age.

10.   Perform work in compliance with applicable laws.

11.    Understand the function, forms, and structural characteristics of civil
engineering facilities and structures.  

12.   Strive to enhance his/her own expertise.

13.   Endeavor to cultivate human resources.

14.   Actively explain the significance and role of his/her own work and
respond sincerely to any criticism of such explanation.  

15.   Live up to the Code of Ethics stipulated by the Society.

Make the world a better place, future civil
engineers.