College of Engineering and

Technology
Department of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering
Visayas State University
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines\
Email: dabe@vsu.edu.ph; Website:
www.vsu.edu.ph

ABEn 131. Introduction to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

1st Semester, AY 2021-2022

Course Exercise No. 2

Fundamental Canons for Engineers
A Reaction Paper

Name: Ma. Derlina P. Mora Date Submitted: September 13, 2021

Degree and Year BSABE 1

I. INTRODUCTION

The Fundamental Canons for Engineers served as one of the keystone in the
formulation of rules of practice for engineers from the various engineering disciplines
and in the formulation of the professional obligations of engineers. This aims to
expand and analyze your knowledge towards moral issues, decisions confronting
individuals and/or organizations, and the behaviors of each engineers as they
advance and uphold integrity, honor, and dignity while practicing their profession.

II BODY OF THE REACTION PAPER

Under the Fundamental Canons for Engineers, “Engineers, in fulfillment of their

professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount of the safety, health and welfare of the public. Under this
canon, an engineer is expected not only to protect the public in his or her own
work, but also to take action if he or she has knowledge that any other person's
actions may undermine the public welfare.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence. Meaning, engineers shall
take the tasks only when allowed to or qualified in a specific field and shall not
affix stamp and signature to any plans or projects which they lack competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Engineers
shall attach relevant and pertinent information in professional reports, statements
and testimony. Also, engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms or arguments
on technical matters that are inspired or paid for by interesting parties, unless
they have prefaced their comments by explicitly identifying the interested parties
on whose behalf they are speaking and by revealing the existence of any interest
the engineers may have in the matters.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trusties. Engineers shall
disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest that could influence or appear
to influence their judgment or the quality of their services.
5. Avoid deceptive acts. Under this canon, engineers shall not falsify their
qualifications or permit misrepresentation of their associates’ qualifications. They
shall not also misrepresent or exaggerate their responsibility in or for the subject
 ABEn 131 Course Exercise No. 1

matter prior to assignments, brochures or other presentations incident to the

solicitation of employment shall not misrepresent pertinent accomplishments.
Further, engineers shall not give, offer, solicit or receive either indirectly or
directly any contribution to influence the award of a contract by authority or which
may be reasonably construed by the public as having the effect to intent to
influencing the awarding of a contract.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and lawfully so as to
enhance the honor, reputation and usefulness of the profession.
6.1 Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards of
honesty and integrity
6.2 Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest
6.3 Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public
6.4 Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information
concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former
client or employer, or public body on which they serve.
6.5 Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting
interests.
6.6 Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or
professional agreements by untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other
improper questionable methods.
6.7 Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly,
the professional reputation, prospects, practice or employment of other
engineers. Engineers who believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal practice
shall present such information to the proper authority for action.
6.8 Engineers shall accept personal responsibility for their professional activities,
provided, however, that engineers may seek indemnification for services arising
out their practice for other than gross negligence, where the engineer’s interests
cannot otherwise be protected.”

These Six Fundamental Canons for Engineers is quite a netiquette for us BSABE
students because it tackles on the practice and advancement of becoming a licensed
AB engineer in the future. Further, provided that these canons are concise and brief
but some of the terminologies are hard for me to sync-in.

III. CONCLUSION

To sum up, the six Fundamental Canons for Engineers can guide you in formulating
plans, projects, and what necessary strategies can you further expound, molding you
into a well-established engineer with dignity, integrity, and moral. In short, the
Fundamental Canons for Engineers gives you awareness of the dos and don’ts of
becoming a professional engineer.
 

IV. LIFELONG LEARNINGS

1. Enhance and widen your time to explore the unknown.

2. Be open to suggestions and give credits to those deserving people.
3. Do not falsify any information.
 ABEn 131 Course Exercise No. 1

V. REFERENCES

Code of Ethics of Engineers (Undated) | Ethics Codes Collection. (2011, November 29).
Ethics Codes Collection. https://ethics.iit.edu/ecodes/node/5069

Six Canons of Engineering Ethics. (2015, November 16). Street Talk - Blog Space.
https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/motorcycledoc/pfp15f/six-canons-of-engineering-
ethics/#sthash.Y7pJ7e21.dpbs