MODULE 1

1.1 What is Ethics

Introduction:
Should I cheat on the board exam to get my civil engineer license? Should I ignore my boss’s
hypocrisies to retain my position? Making ethical decisions can be difficult. We make most of them in
a world of economic, professional, and social pressures, which can obscure moral issues. Often don't
know how to decide. We must rank competing moral claims and must be able to predict the likely
consequences of choices.
Ethical decision making requires more than a belief in the importance of ethics. It also requires ethical
sensitivity to implications of choices, the ability to evaluate complex, ambiguous and incomplete facts,
and the skill to implement ethical decisions effectively. Most of all, it requires a framework of
principles that are reliable (such as the Six Pillars of Character) and a procedure for applying them to
problems.

What is ethics?
Ethics refers to principles that define behavior as right, good, and proper. They affect how people
make decisions and lead their lives. It is concerned with what is good for individuals and society and is
also described as moral philosophy.
The term is derived from the Greek word ethos which can mean custom, habit, character, or
disposition.
Ethics covers the following dilemmas:

• how to live a good life

• our rights and responsibilities
• the language of right and wrong
• moral decisions - what is good and bad?

Our concepts of ethics have been derived from religions, philosophies, and cultures. They infuse
debates on topics like abortion, human rights, and professional conduct.

Approaches to ethics
Philosophers nowadays tend to divide ethical theories into three areas: metaethics, normative ethics,
and applied ethics.

• Meta-ethics deals with the nature of moral judgment. It looks at the origins and meaning of ethical
principles.
• Normative ethics is concerned with the content of moral judgments and the criteria for what is right
or wrong.
• Applied ethics looks at controversial topics like war, animal rights, and capital punishment.
Four ethical 'isms'
When a person says "murder is bad" what are they doing?
That's the sort of question that only a philosopher would ask, but it's actually a very useful way of
getting a clear idea of what's going on when people talk about moral issues.
The different 'isms' regard the person uttering the statement as doing different things.
We can show some of the different things I might be doing when I say 'murder is bad' by rewriting that
statement to show what I really mean:
•
o I might be making a statement about an ethical fact
▪ "It is wrong to murder"
▪ This is moral realism
o I might be making a statement about my own feelings
▪ "I disapprove of murder"
▪ This is subjectivism
o I might be expressing my feelings
▪ "Down with murder"
▪ This is emotivism
o I might be giving instruction or a prohibition
▪ "Don't murder people"
▪ This is prescriptivism

Moral realism
Moral realism is based on the idea that there are real objective moral facts or truths in the universe.
Moral statements provide factual information about those truths.

Subjectivism
Subjectivism teaches that moral judgments are nothing more than statements of a person's feelings or
attitudes and that ethical statements do not contain factual truths about goodness or badness.
In more detail: subjectivists say that moral statements are statements about the feelings, attitudes, and
emotions that a particular person or group has about a particular issue.
If a person says something is good or bad they are telling us about the positive or negative feelings
that they have about that something.
So if someone says 'murder is wrong' they are telling us that they disapprove of murder.
These statements are true if the person does hold the appropriate attitude or have the appropriate
feelings. They are false if the person doesn't.

Emotivism
Emotivism is the view that moral claims are no more than expressions of approval or disapproval.
This sounds like subjectivism, but in emotivism, a moral statement doesn't provide information about
the speaker's feelings about the topic but expresses those feelings.
When an emotivist says "murder is wrong" it's like saying "down with murder" or "murder, yecch!" or
just saying "murder" while pulling a horrified face, or making a thumbs-down gesture at the same time
as saying "murder is wrong".
So when someone makes a moral judgment they show their feelings about something. Some theorists
also suggest that in expressing a feeling the person gives instruction to others about how to act
towards the subject matter.

Prescriptivism
Prescriptivists think that ethical statements are instructions or recommendations.
So if I say something is good, I'm recommending you do it, and if I say something is bad, I'm telling you
not to do it.
There is almost always a prescriptive element in any real-world ethical statement: any ethical
statement can be reworked (with a bit of effort) into a statement with an 'ought' in it. For example:
"lying is wrong" can be rewritten as "people ought not to tell lies".

1.2 Ethical Values

Universal or Core Ethical Values
Ethics offers some guiding principles for how people can be and belong in their community, society,
organization, or even family. Work by the Josephson Institute for Ethics suggests six core values that
most people most of the time would agree are fundamental to the relationships that they have with
the people around them.
Using core ethical values as the basis for ethical thinking can help detect situations where we focus so
hard on upholding one value that we sacrifice another — eg. we are loyal to friends and so do not
always tell the truth about their actions.

Six Pillars of Character

Core Ethical Values Supporting Ethical Principles

Trustworthiness truthfulness, sincerity, candor, integrity, promise-keeping, loyalty, honesty

Respect respect, autonomy, courtesy, self-determination

Responsibility responsibility, diligence, continuous improvement, self-restraint

Fairness justice, fairness, impartiality, equity

Caring caring, kindness, compassion

Citizenship citizenship, philanthropy, voting

1. TRUSTWORTHINESS

When others trust us, they give us greater leeway because they feel we don’t need monitoring to
assure that we’ll meet our obligations. They believe in us and hold us in higher esteem. That’s
satisfying. At the same time, we must constantly live up to the expectations of others and refrain
from even small lies or self-serving behavior that can quickly destroy our relationships.
Simply refraining from deception is not enough. Trustworthiness is the most complicated of the six
core ethical values and concerns a variety of qualities like honesty, integrity, reliability, and loyalty.

2. RESPECT

People are not things, and everyone has a right to be treated with dignity. We certainly have no
ethical duty to hold all people in high esteem, but we should treat everyone with respect, regardless
of who they are and what they have done. We have a responsibility to be the best we can be in all
situations, even when dealing with unpleasant people.
The Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you — nicely illustrates the Pillar
of Respect. Respect prohibits violence, humiliation, manipulation and exploitation. It reflects notions
such as civility, courtesy, decency, dignity, autonomy, tolerance, and acceptance.

3. RESPONSIBILITY

Life is full of choices. Being responsible means being in charge of our choices and, thus, our lives. It
means being accountable for what we do and who we are. It also means recognizing that our actions
matter and we are morally on the hook for the consequences. Our capacity to reason and our
freedom to choose to make us morally autonomous and, therefore, answerable for whether we
honor or degrade the ethical principles that give life meaning and purpose.

4. FAIRNESS

What is fairness? Most would agree it involves issues of equality, impartiality, proportionality,
openness, and due process. Most would agree that it is unfair to handle similar matters
inconsistently. Most would agree that it is unfair to impose punishment that is not commensurate
with the offense. The basic concept seems simple, even intuitive, yet applying it in daily life can be
surprisingly difficult. Fairness is another tricky concept, probably more subject to legitimate debate
and interpretation than any other ethical value. Disagreeing parties tend to maintain that there is
only one fair position (their own, naturally). But essentially fairness implies adherence to a balanced
standard of justice without relevance to one’s own feelings or inclinations.

5. CARING

If you existed alone in the universe, there would be no need for ethics and your heart could be a
cold, hard stone. Caring is the heart of ethics and ethical decision-making. It is scarcely possible to
be truly ethical and yet unconcerned with the welfare of others. That is because ethics is ultimately
about good relations with other people.
 6. CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship includes civic virtues and duties that prescribe how we ought to behave as part of a
community. The good citizen knows the laws and obeys them, yes, but that’s not all. She volunteers
and stays informed on the issues of the day, the better to execute her duties and privileges as a
member of a self-governing democratic society. She does more than her "fair" share to make society
work, now and for future generations. Such a commitment to the public sphere can have many
expressions, such as conserving resources, recycling, using public transportation, and cleaning up
litter. A good citizen gives more than she takes.

1.3 What is Professional Ethics?

Introduction:
‘‘WHY SHOULD I STUDY ETHICS? I am an ethical person.’’
Engineers and engineering students often ask this question when the subject of professional ethics is
raised, and the short and simple answer to it is not long in coming:
‘‘You are not being asked to study ethics in general, but your profession’s ethics.’’
Entering into a profession as an ethical person does not mean that one is well prepared for the ethical
challenges that may lie ahead. Professional life presents distinctive problems of its own.

What is a Profession?
The use of "profess" and related terms in the Middle Ages was associated with a monk's public
"profession" of a way of life that carried with it stringent moral requirements.
By the late seventeenth century, the term had been secularized to apply to those who "professed" to
be duly qualified to perform certain services of value to others.
By a Socratic dialogue program, Philosopher Michael Davis has derived the following definition:
A profession is a number of individuals in the same occupation voluntarily organized to earn a living by
openly serving a moral ideal in a morally permissible way beyond what law, market, morality, and public
opinion would otherwise require.
Davis definition highlights the facts that a profession is not composed of only one person, that it
involves a public element, that it is a way people earn a living and is therefore usually something that
occupies them during their working hours, that people enter into it voluntarily, and that it involves a
morally desirable goal, such as curing the sick or promoting the public good.

Engineering is a Profession
Davis’ definition allows engineering full professional status.
Engineering is a group activity, which openly professes special knowledge, skill, and judgment. It is the
occupation by which most engineers earn their living, and it is entered into voluntarily. Engineering
serves a morally good end, namely the production of technology for the benefit of mankind, and there
is no reason why morally permissible means to that end cannot be used. Finally, engineers have special
obligations, including protecting the health and safety of the public, as this is affected by technology.

Three Types of Ethics or Morality:

1. Common Morality is the set of moral beliefs shared by almost everyone. It is the basis,
or at least the reference point, for the other two types of morality that we shall
discuss.
2. Personal Morality is the set of moral beliefs that a person holds.
3. Professional Ethics is the set of standards adopted by professionals insofar as they
view themselves acting as professionals. Every profession has its professional ethics.
Engineering ethics is a set of ethical standards that applies to the profession of
engineering.

Professional Ethics
There are several important characteristics of professional ethics.

1. It is usually stated in a formal code.

2. The professional codes of ethics of a given profession focus on the issues that are important in that
profession.
3. When one is in a professional relationship, professional ethics is supposed to take precedence over
personal morality—at least ordinarily.
o When a client or employer reveals details of a business relationship to an engineer, he
can expect the engineer to keep these details in confidence, even though he knows
nothing about the personal morality of the engineer.
o A complication occurs when the professional’s personal morality and professional ethics
conflict.
▪ For example, a client asks a civil engineer to design a project that the
engineer, who has strong personal environmental commitments, believes
imposes unacceptable damage to a wetland. Suppose this damage is not
sufficient to be clearly covered by his engineering code. In this case, the
engineer probably should refer the client or employer to another engineer
who might do the work.
4. Professional ethics sometimes differs from personal morality in its degree of restriction of personal
conduct. Sometimes professional ethics is more restrictive than personal morality, and sometimes it
is less restrictive.
o Suppose engineer Jane refuses to design military hardware because she believes war is
immoral. Engineering codes do not prohibit engineers from designing military hardware,
so this refusal is based on personal ethics and not on professional ethics. Here, Jane’s
personal ethics is more restrictive than her professional ethics.
o On the other hand, suppose civil engineer Mary refuses to participate in the design of a
project that she believes will be
contrary to the principles of sustainable development, which are set out in the code of
the American Society of Civil Engineers. She may not personally believe these guidelines
are correct, but she might (correctly) believe she is obligated to follow them in her
 professional work because they are stated in her code of ethics. Here, Mary’s
professional ethics is more restrictive than her personal ethics.

1.4 CE Code of Ethics

These are the codes of ethics that we must uphold as a Civil Engineer:

CODE OF ETHICS (Links to an external site.)

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;
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
4. supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

Fundamental Canons

1. Civil Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and shall strive to
comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their duties.
2. Civil Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Civil Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
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. Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not
compete unfairly with others.
6. Civil Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity
of the civil engineering profession.
7. Civil Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall
provide opportunities for the professional development of those civil engineers under their
supervision.

Adopted in September 2001 as part of the Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers published by
the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.

(Links to an external site.)

 Prohibited Actions from PRC Civil Engineering Board - Code of
Ethics
It shall be considered unprofessional and inconsistent with honorable and dignified bearing for any
registered Civil Engineer:

• To act for his clients* in professional matters otherwise than as a faithful agent or trustee, or to
accept any remuneration other than his stated charges for services rendered his clients.
• To attempt to injure falsely or maliciously, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation,
prospects, or business of another Engineer.
• To attempt to supplant another Engineer after definite steps have been taken toward his
employment
• To participate in competitive bidding on a price basis to secure a professional engagement.
• To compete with another Engineer for employment on the basis of professional charges, by
reducing his usual charges and in this manner attempting to underbid after being informed of the
charges named by another.
• To review the work of another Engineer for the same client, except with the knowledge or consent
of such Engineer, or unless the connection of such Engineer with the work has been terminated.
• To advertise in self-laudatory language, or in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the
Profession. To use the advantages of a salaried position to compete unfairly with Engineers in
private practice.
• To act in any manner or engage in any practice which will tend to bring discredit on the honor or
dignity of the Engineering Profession.

*The word “ clients “ is considered to be inclusive of the meaning of the word employers .”

There are several good reasons for the prohibitive tone of this code and many other engineering
codes.
First, it makes good sense that the first duty of moral agents, including professionals, is to refrain from
harming others. Before doing good, one should not do harm.
Second, the codes are largely formulated in terms of rules that can be relatively easily enforced by
penalties, either of the societies or perhaps by law, and it is easier to enforce rules that specify what is
prohibited than rules that require, or at least encourage more open-ended and positive objectives.
A rule that requires engineers to avoid conflicts of interest is relatively easy to enforce, at least in
comparison to a more open-ended requirement such as the requirement that engineers hold
paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

Preventing Harm to the Public

Engineers are obligated not only to abide by code prohibitions, thereby refraining from causing harm
but also, under some circumstances, to actively prevent harms caused by technology or by other
engineers. Prevention of harm usually involves:

1. identifying and disclosing potential harms and

2. attempting to prevent them.
Such actions, even though perhaps fundamentally negative, also have a positive dimension, since they
often involve courage, and it often requires considerable effort to oppose and prevent harms to the
public. In any case, they both protect and promote well-being.

1.5 Guidelines to Practice under the Fundamental Canons of Ethics

The ASCE Code of Ethics (Appendix A) provides guidance for engineers’ personal and professional
conduct. The first canon of the code of ethics, holding “paramount the safety, health, and welfare of
the public,” should be at the forefront of all decisions, designs, and execution of responsibilities. The
remaining six canons amplify the importance of Canon 1 and further describe a professional engineer’s
responsibility not only to the public but also to his/her clients, employers, and other members of the
engineering profession. Addressing the issues of all of these constituencies is essential to ensure the
continued safety and quality of life of the public into the future, as well as to earn and sustain public
trust and support for professional engineers in the efficient, safe, and economical performance of their
duties.

CANON 1
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply
with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties.

1.
1. Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and welfare of the general public
are dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions, and practices incorporated into
structures, machines, products, processes and devices.
2. Engineers shall approve or seal only those design documents, reviewed or prepared by
them, which are determined to be safe for public health and welfare in conformity with
accepted engineering standards.
3. Engineers whose professional judgment is overruled under circumstances where the
safety, health and welfare of the public are endangered, or the principles of sustainable
development ignored, shall inform their clients or employers of the
possible consequences.
4. Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm may be
in violation of any of the provisions of Canon 1 shall present such information to the
proper authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority in furnishing
such further information or assistance as may be required.
5. Engineers should seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs and
work for the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of their communities, and
the protection of the environment through the practice of sustainable development.
6. Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to the
principles of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the general
public.

CANON 2
Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.

1.
 1. Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when qualified by
education or experience in the technical field of engineering involved.
2. Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside oftheir
own fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those phases of the
project in which they are qualified. All other phases of such project shall be performed by
qualified associates, consultants, or employees.
3. Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any engineering plan or document
dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of education or
experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared
under their supervisory control.

CANON 3
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

1.
1. Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and
sustainable development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair
or exaggerated statements regarding engineering.
2. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or
testimony. They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports,
statements, or testimony.
3. Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only
when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of
technical competence, and upon honest conviction.
4. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on engineering matters
which are inspired or paid for by interested parties unless they indicate on whose behalf
the statements are made.
5. Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit and will avoid
any act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity, honor,
and dignity of the profession.

CANON 4
1.
1. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents
or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their studies, they
believe a project will not be successful.
7. 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.
8. 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.

1.
1. 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.
2. Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and on the basis of
demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of professional service
required.
3. Engineers may request, propose or accept professional commissions on a contingent
basis only under circumstances in which their professional judgments would not be
compromised.
4. Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or professional
qualifications or experience.
5. 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.
6. 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 that 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 anything
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.
7. 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.
8. 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.

CANON 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 bribery, fraud, and corruption.

1.
1. Engineers shall not knowingly engage in business or professional practices of a
fraudulent, dishonest or unethical nature.
2. Engineers shall be scrupulously honest in their control and spending of monies, and
promote effective use of resources through open, honest and impartial service with
fidelity to the public, employers, associates and clients.
3. Engineers shall act with zero tolerance for bribery, fraud, and corruption in all
engineering or construction activities in which they are engaged.
4. Engineers should be especially vigilant to maintain appropriate ethical behavior where
payments of gratuities or bribes are institutionalized practices.
5. Engineers should strive for transparency in the procurement and execution of projects.
Transparency includes disclosure of names, addresses, purposes, and fees or
commissions paid for all agents facilitating projects.
6. Engineers should encourage the use of certifications specifying zero tolerance for
bribery, fraud, and corruption in all contracts.

CANON 7
Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide
opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.

1.
1. Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional
practice, participating in continuing education courses, reading in the technical literature,
and attending professional meetings and seminars.
2. Engineers should encourage their engineering employees to become registered at the
earliest possible date.
3. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at
professional and technical society meetings.
4. Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between
employers and employees with respect to terms of employment including professional
grade descriptions, salary ranges, and fringe benefits.
MODULE 2
2.1 Professional Responsibility
The Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by PICE, Inc., addresses the procurement of civil
engineering services for a quality project.
QUALITY by means of:
•
o meeting both the expectations of the client or employer; and
o meeting the requirements of the project.

Which REQUIRES:
•
o professional dedication,
o the effort,
o adequate time for investigation,
o planning and innovation,
o fair compensation, and
o appropriate authority and responsibility.

Quality results from team effort and is measured by the degree of satisfaction of all parties involved.

The manual is dedicated to advancing both the understanding and quality of the practice of Civil
Engineering.

Professional Responsibility
• The standard of practice is for Civil Engineers to be given responsibility for
o studying, conceiving;
o designing;
o observing construction; and
o assisting in the programming for operating and maintaining engineering works.
• The health, safety, well-being, and comfort of the public in using the facility, and the ultimate facility
cost, all depend to a considerable extent on how well members of the project team fulfill their
professional and contractual responsibilities.
• Civil Engineers shall conduct themselves in a highly Professional Manner and Serve as Faithful
Trustees or agents of their clients or employers.
• Civil Engineers are therefore bound by the Fundamental Canons of Ethics contained in this manual.
• Care and protection of the environment are paramount in the Civil Engineer’s work engagement.
• Civil Engineers must always strive to maintain the highest standard of Ethical Professional Practice in
their dealing with client employers, employees, competitors, and the community.
2.2 Client-Civil Engineer Relationship
• Many public and private entities, of necessity, rely on Civil Engineers as their employees.
• Independent civil engineering firms are also relied upon to accomplish projects which will require
special expertise beyond the normal capabilities of the client. More recently clients have been
utilizing new concepts, such as program management and design-build, to implement projects.

Proper Relationships Between Civil Engineers And Their

Public And Private Clients:
1. Obligations of the Civil Engineer
2. Obligations of the Client
3. Liability of the Civil Engineer and the Client

•
o Limitation or Civil Engineer’s Responsibility
o Damages

4. Suspension or Termination of Services

5. Settlement of Disputes
6. Ownership of Data, Designs and Documents

Obligations of the Civil Engineer

The Obligations of the Civil Engineer includes:

1. The Civil Engineer shall perform the Scope of the services.

2. The Civil Engineer shall exercise reasonable skill, care, and diligence in the performance of his
obligations.
3. The Civil Engineer shall act independently and, as required by the contract, perform with necessary
skills and professional judgement, when required to certify, decide or exercise discretion between
the Client and a Third-party with whom the Client has a contract.
4. The Civil Engineer is authorized to act as the Client’s faithful agent when required but only as
implied in section 2 or implied in the contract adopted for the project.
5. When aware of any matters which will change or has changed the scope of the services, the Civil
Engineer shall give written notice to the Client containing particulars of the change.
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.
7. When required, the Civil Engineer shall direct and co-operate with all other professionals and
integrate their work where applicable into that being undertaken by the Civil Engineer and other
professionals, but shall not be professionally liable for their work.
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 co-ordinate the design of such part
or parts with the 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 shall not be liable for acts of negligence, default, or omission by such person or persons.
 9. The Civil Engineer shall notify the Client of any interest the Civil engineer has which may
significantly conflict with the interests of the Client under their Contract.

Obligations of the Client

The Client has the following obligations.

1. The Client shall pay the Civil Engineer for his Services, the amount of fees and expenses set out in or
determined in their Agreement.
2. The Client shall provide the Civil Engineer within a reasonable time (that does not result in a delay to
the provision of the Services), all information required by the Civil Engineer in the performance of
his services and a decision in writing on the performance of his services and a decision in writing on
all matters properly referred to the Client in writing.
3. The Client shall cooperate with the Civil Engineer and shall not interfere with or obstruct the proper
performance of the Services.
4. The Client shall, as soon as practicable, make arrangements to enable the Civil Engineer to enter the
site and inspect facilities needed in the performance of his services.
5. The Client shall arrange for the provision of services from other professionals or others as may be
required and bear all costs.
6. When the Civil Engineer is required to administer the work of other professionals or other third
parties who are directly contracted by the Client or when the Civil Engineer is required to act as
Engineer-to-the-Contract for any contract on behalf of the client then all instructions by the Client
shall be given through the Civil Engineer.
7. When aware of any matter which will change or has changed the scope of the Civil Engineer’s
Services, the Client shall notify in writing within 7 days the Civil Engineer containing, as far as is
practicable, the particulars of the change.

Liability of the Civil Engineer and the Client

The Civil Engineer shall only be liable to pay damages to the client arising out of or in connection with
their Agreement if a breach of duty of care is established against the Civil Engineer.
The Client shall only be liable to pay damages to the Civil id a breach of the Client’s duty to the Civil
Engineer is established against the Client.
Resolution of any conflict arising from the Agreement between the Civil Engineer and the Client shall
be done by giving preference to the process of arbitration.
Establishment of the breach of duty on the part of the Civil Engineer and that of the breach of the
Client’s duty to the Civil Engineer shall be undertaken by a third party arbitrator mutually acceptable
to the Client and the Civil Engineer.

• Limitation or Civil Engineer’s Responsibility

o The Civil Engineer shall have no responsibility or liability for costs, loss or damage of
whatsoever nature arising from any errors in or omission from data, documents, plans,
design or specifications not prepared by the Civil Engineer, or other personnel under the
direct control of the Civil Engineer, and arising from any act or omission or lack of
performance or any negligent or fraudulent act or omission by the Client or any Other
 Consultant, Contractor or supplier to the Client or any employee or agent of the Client,
Other Consultants, Contractors or suppliers.
o Notwithstanding any recommendation or lack of recommendation made by the Civil
Engineer to the Client, the Civil Engineer shall not be held to have made any warranty or
promise as to the suitability, competence, or performance of any Other Consultant,
Contractor, supplier, or another third party.
o The Civil Engineer shall not be responsible for the techniques, method, programs,
sequences or procedures adopted by any Contractor or other third party responsible for
executing any aspects of the Project, nor for their performance on time, their failure to
carry out the work in accordance with any contract documents or for any other acts or
omissions.

• Damages
If found that the Civil Engineer undertaking Services is liable to the Client, damages shall be payable
on the following terms:
1.
o Damages payable shall be limited to the amount reasonably foreseeable loss and damage
suffered as a direct result of such breach;
o The maximum amount of damages payable in respect of liability, whether under the law
or contract, or otherwise, is limited to the amount specified in the Specific Provision or, if
no such amount or provision is specified, to the lesser of P300,000 or 10% of the total
amount of damages of the portion of the work attributable to the Civil Engineer’s breach
of duty or twenty-five percent of the total fees payable under their Agreement;
o If found to be liable, in circumstances where the acts or omissions of a third party have
contributed to the loss or damage, the proportion of damages payable by the party found
liable shall be limited to that proportion which is attributable to that party’s breach of
duty, whether the claims are made under a contract or otherwise.

Suspension or Termination of Services

If circumstances arise for which the Civil Engineer is not responsible and which makes it impractical or
impossible for the Civil Engineer to perform in whole or in part the Services in accordance with their
Agreement then the Civil Engineer shall promptly notify the Client of the same.
The Client may suspend all or part of the Services or terminate the Agreement by written notice of not
less than 30 days to the Civil Engineer who shall immediately make arrangements to stop the services
and minimize further expenditure.
The Civil Engineer by written notice of no less than 30 days may terminate the Agreement or at his
and or her discretion without prejudice to the right to terminate, suspend the performance of the
whole or part of the Services under the following conditions:

1. When 30 days after the due date or payment of any account the Civil Engineer has not received
payment of that part of it which has not by that time been contested in writing, or
2. When Services have been suspended for a period exceeding 6 calendar months, or if it is clear to the
Civil Engineer that it will be impossible or impractical to resume the suspended Services before the
period of suspension has exceeded six months.
When the Services are suspended or terminated the Civil Engineer shall be entitled to payment for the
Services carried out including consequential costs, expenses and disruption fees incurred as a result of
the suspension or termination, and remobilization fees on resumption. Suspension or termination of
the Agreement shall not prejudice or affect accrued rights or claims and liabilities of the parties.

Settlement of Disputes
If a dispute arises on either party, then that party shall by notice in writing served on the other party of
the details of the dispute and request that the dispute be resolved by conciliation. If the matter in
dispute is not resolved in conciliation between the parties within the prescribed time then the matter
in dispute shall be referred to arbitration.

Ownership of Data, Designs, and Documents

The design analyses, drawings, specifications, and reproductions thereof are instruments of service
owned by the Professional Engineer and shall be used only for the specific project covered by the
agreement between the Client and Engineer.

2.3 Civil Engineering Services, Specialization in CE

Civil Engineers and civil engineering firms services:

1. Design, consultations, and advice

2. Feasibility studies
3. Field investigations and engineering data collection
4. Environmental assessments, impact statements or Engineering reports
5. Opinions of probable construction cost
6. Preliminary and final designs, drawings, specifications, and construction bidding documents
7. Assistance in securing construction bids and in awarding contracts
8. Construction administration and observation
9. Arrangements for or performance testing of materials and equipment
10. Assistance in start-up, assessment of capacity, and operation of facilities
11. Preparation of operation and maintenance manuals
12. Appraisals and rate studies
13. Value engineering
14. Expert testimony
15. Assessment of risks
16. Structural remediation or rehabilitation
17. Project Management and controls
18. Provision of supplemental temporary staff
19. Teaching

Civil Engineers may also serve as a construction manager or program managers and may employ other
sub-consultants and subcontractors as part of their services.
Talents of the various discipline of Professional Civil Engineering firms

1. economists,
2. planners
3. engineers and designers
4. estimators
5. architects
6. scientists
7. technical analysts
8. specification writers
9. drafters
10. field representatives
11. surveyors

Civil engineering services must be performed in a competent and efficient manner, on a highly
professional and ethical plane, and in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

Project implementation has become increasingly complex, involving financial, environmental,

regulatory, technical, and managerial matters.

• Program Management – one of the implementation approach used by clients wherein they
retain a program manager to perform a specialized task
o Program manager:
▪ performs specialized tasks necessary to the development or
construction of a specific project
▪ develop, define and oversee the program, prepare budgetary estimates
of program costs, prepare program schedules, evaluate and select
members of the program team, and provide periodic program status
reports
▪ generally a Civil Engineer
Specialization in Civil Engineering
PICE (Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers)

• recognizes the initial five areas of specialization.

• awards certificate that will consider qualification for positions in the respective areas of
specialization

SPECIALIZATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS AND CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRMS:

1. Structural and foundation

2. Geotechnical and environmental
3. Water resources and hydraulics
4. Transportation
5. 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.
2.4 Selection of a Civil Engineer
Selection of a Civil Engineer
The accomplishment of the client's objectives and commitment of financial resources, soundness of
design, and suitability of the proposed project for its intended function rest upon the experience,
organization, skill, integrity, and judgement of the Civil Engineer.
The CE's recommendations based on these factors, affect life-cycle costs and thereby influence the
economic feasibility of the undertaking.
Cost of the full range of engineering services
- not less than 1 to 2% of the life-cycle cost of most construction projects
Critical importance in the selection of a Civil Engineer as a consultant:

1. qualification & reputation,

2. experience & quality of client service.

• Selection bases primarily on the 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.

Detailed scope of services protects both the client and the consultants because it may greatly reduce
the potential for misunderstandings or confusion

Design Competition
• the process through which a Civil Engineer is selected above other competitors based on a proposal
or innovative approach to solving a client’s needs

Contingency Basis of Employement

Canon 5c or 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.”

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 citizens of such
foreign state or country.
2. Allowed under international agreement.
 3. Consultants to be engaged in a foreign-funded, joint venture or foreign-assisted projects of the
government.
4. Employees of the Philippines 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.

Foreign civil engineers must still secure a certificate of registration/license or special permit from the
Professional Regulation Commission. Agencies, organizations or individuals, whether public or private,
who secure the services of a foreign Civil Engineer, are made responsible by law (R.A. 8981-
Modernization Act 2000) for securing a special permit from the PRC and the Department of Labor and
Employment pursuant to their respective rules.
3.1 Introduction
The needs for professional civil engineering services vary, and the civil engineering firms
that meet these needs vary in organizational structure, size, and capability. Many civil
engineering firms provide comprehensive services to the client, while other firms
specialize in areas of engineering, such as geotechnical or structural, and transportation,
water, and construction management, and provide their services to a prime engineer,
architect, or owner.

Services provided by Civil Engineers can be grouped into following broad categories:

1. Consultation, research, investigation, and reports.

2. Design services for construction projects
3. Construction services
4. Special services for construction projects
5. Engineering support services
6. Academic services
7. Services as Employee

The types of infrastructure under the domain of civil engineering, pursuant to RA 544, as
amended, include:
•
o Street, bridges, highways and railroads
o Airports and hangars
o Portworks, canals, river and shore improvements, light houses and
dry docks
o Buildings
o Fixed structures for irrigation, flood protection, drainage, water
supply and sewerage works
o Tunnels

3.2 Consultation, Research,

Investigation, and Reports
These services deal primarily with collecting, interpreting, and reporting information,
together with formulating conclusions and making recommendations.
Typical services in this category are:

Preliminary and Feasibility Investigations and

Reports
These services usually precede the authorization of a capital project and may involve
extensive investigations, analyses of conditions, and comparison of several possible
plans. These studies may include the impact of a project upon the cycle costs, financing
considerations, and expected revenues as bases for conclusions and recommendations
regarding the advisability of undertaking a project.

Planning Studies
These services may include the broad areas of developing the engineering requirements
of master plans for long-range capital improvement programs; preparation of preliminary
engineering of land development plans, urban plans, and regional plans; and
environmental conditions and preparation of environmental impact studies with
subsequent engineering planning to improve or maintain existing conditions.

Public Involvement
The client may engage the engineer to present a project concept, technical analysis, or
planning study to the public. In addition, the client may use the engineer to solicit public
involvement on a particular project or study. These services require the engineer to be
familiar with the array of public involvement techniques in order to achieve the desired
result.

Appraisals, Valuations, and Rate Studies

These services may include investigations and analyses of existing conditions; capital and
operating costs; overhead costs and costs of financing; and revenues as needed to
evaluate a property or to recommend the establishment of prospective rates.
Assistance in Financial Matters
The Civil Engineer may be engaged by a client who is planning to issue bonds,
particularly revenue bonds, to finance a capital project. The scope of services may
include an evaluation of capabilities of existing or proposed facilities to meet present and
projected future needs, statements of probable construction costs, and an estimate of
annual revenue requirements, with a determination of appropriate rates to provide this
income.

Materials Engineering and Equipment Tests

These services include tests of materials and equipment under established codes and
standards, specialized examination of equipment and materials used in construction and
industry, and other inspections and monitoring required by a client.

Direct Personal Services

This includes services such as assistance in preparation for legal proceedings.
Appearances before courts or commissions to render expert opinions and conclusions,
and investigation of technical matters where specialized civil engineering knowledge,
experience, and judgment is required.

Research and Development

Research is a specialized investigation and gathering of data from existing resources or
through laboratory works and processes related to the purpose and object of the
research. Research and development may cover the following:

• Development of new construction materials and methods from concept to

commercialization.
• Improvement of construction materials and methods through exhaustive studies to
reduce total construction cost and at the same time improve quality.

Special Services
These services can vary to suit the special needs of the client and can include such
diverse activities as:
 •
o Value engineering
o Appraisal and valuation
o Load testing
o Environmental evaluations
o Traffic engineering
o Forensic engineering for structural and other failures
o Operational assistance
o Materials process design
o Pilot studies
o Computer modeling
o Safety engineering
o Topographic, sounding and boundary survey engineering
o Toxic and hazardous waste evaluation
o Permit and application services
o Sales and marketing services
o Expert witness
o Representation of municipal or private entities in the project proposed for
privatization

3.3 Design Services For

Construction Projects
Civil engineering services are required for each of the six typical phases of a construction
project. All services are preferably furnished by the same Civil Engineer for consistency
and efficiency, although at times services in various phases are furnished by different
engineers or by the client. The services are supplemented by special services that may
be provided by the client, a specialized engineer, or another Civil Engineer.
The six standard phases of a construction project and the engineering services needed
for each are as follows:

1. Study and Report Phasecanalysis of client needs, evaluation of alternatives and

recommendations of a preferred option, conceptual design, conceptual opinions of
probable construction cost
2. Preliminary Design Phasecpreparation of final design criteria, preliminary drawings,
outline specifications, and preliminary estimate of construction cost
3. Final Design Phasecpreparation of construction drawings, specifications, estimates of
probable construction cost, and other contract documents
4. Bidding or Negotiating Phasecassistance to the client with the bidding or negotiating
process for construction of the project
5. Construction Phasecrepresentation of the client during construction and inspection
of construction
6. Operation Phasecassistance to the client in startup and operation of the project,
including periodic inspections
Study and Report Phase
This phase involves the determination of project scope and economic and technical
evaluation of feasible alternatives. The services performed during this phase may
include:

1. Reviewing available data and consulting with the client to clarify and define the
client’s requirements for the project.
2. Advising the client as to the necessity of providing or obtaining from other additional
data or services and assisting the client in obtaining such data and services
3. Identifying and analyzing requirements of governmental authorities having
jurisdiction to approve the design of the project and participating in consultations
with such authorities.
4. Providing analyses of the client's needs, planning surveys, comparative evaluations of
prospective sites, and solutions.
5. Providing a general economic analysis of the client’s requirements applicable to
various alternatives.
6. Preparing a report and presenting alternative solutions available to the client with the
Civil Engineer’s findings and recommendations.

Preliminary Design Phase

This phase involves the establishment of the general size and scope of the project and its
location on the selected site. The preliminary design services may include:

1. Consulting with the client, reviewing preliminary reports, clarifying and defining
project requirements, reviewing available data, and discussing general scheduling.
2. Advising the client as to whether additional data or services of the type described
under the study and report phase above are required and assisting the client in
obtaining such data and services.
3. Preparing preliminary design documents consisting of final design criteria, preliminary
drawings, outline specifications, and written descriptions of the project.
4. Preparing revised estimates of probable total project costs.
5. Providing periodic status reports.

Final Design Phase

This phase of project development is usually undertaken only after the client has
approved the preliminary design phase material. The basic services for the final design
phase may include:
 1. Preparing construction drawings and specifications showing the character and extent
of the project based on the final accepted preliminary design documents.
2. Preparing and furnishing to the client a revised estimate of probable total project
costs based on the final drawings and specifications.
3. Furnishing the necessary engineering data and assisting in the application for
regulatory permits from local, or national authorities. This is distinguished from and
does not include detailed applications and supporting documents for government
grants-in-aid or planning grants that would be furnished as additional services
described later in this section.
4. Preparing basic documents related to construction contacts for review and approval
by the client (and the client’s legal and other advisors). These include contact
agreement forms, general conditions and supplementary conditions, invitations to bid,
instructions to bidders, insurance and bonding requirements, and other contract-
related documents.
5. Furnishing to the client a specified number of copies of drawings, specifications, and
other contract documents.
6. Providing final design and construction services for design-build contracts. The
engineer generally serves as a subcontractor to a general contractor during the initial
planning and design phases. Services provided by the engineer may be extended
through the construction phase, as appropriate.
7. Providing periodic status reports.

Bidding or Negotiating Phase

Services under this phase may include:

1. Assisting the client in advertising for and obtaining bids or negotiating proposals for
each separate prime construction contract, maintaining a record of prospective
bidders to whom bidding documents have been issued, attending pre-bid
conferences, and receiving and processing deposits for bidding documents.
2. Issuing addenda as appropriate to interpret, clarify, expand, or amend the bidding
documents.
3. Assisting the client in determining the qualifications and acceptability of prospective
contractors, subcontractors, and materials suppliers.
4. Consulting with and advising the client as to the acceptability of alternative materials
and equipment proposed by the prospective construction when substitution prior t
the award of contracts is allowed by the bidding documents.
5. Attending the bid opening, preparing bid tabulation sheets, and providing assistance
to the client in evaluating bids or proposals and in assembling and awarding contracts
for construction, materials, equipment, and services.
Construction Phase
Construction phase services may include:

1. Reviewing, for compliance with design concepts, shop, and erection drawings
submitted by the constructors.
2. Reviewing laboratory, shop, and mill test reports on materials and equipment.
3. Visiting the project site at appropriate intervals
4. Providing services during construction by a full-time resident project representative,
and by supporting staff as required
5. Issuing instruction from the client to the contractors, issuing necessary
interpretations and clarifications of contract documents, preparing change orders,
requiring special inspections and testing of the work, and making recommendations
as to the acceptability of the work.
6. Making recommendations to the client on corrective actions or contractual measures
that may be exercised by the owner.
7. Preparing sketches required to resolve problems due to actual field conditions
encountered.
8. Determining amounts of progress payments due, based on the degree of completion
of the work, and recommending issuance of such payments by the client.
9. Observing and assisting performance tests and initial operation of the project.
10. Preparing record drawings from information submitted by the contractor.
11. Making a final inspection and reporting on completion of the project.

Operation Phase
At the completion of construction, the Civil Engineer may as basic service, assist in the
star-up of project operations. The Civil Engineer may be commissioned to prepare a
manual for both operation and maintenance requirements, and may also provide
assistance in adjusting and balancing equipment, identifying deficiencies and assisting in
obtaining corrections, and performing inspection prior to the end of the project warranty
period.
The Civil Engineer may assist in operator training, setting up job classifications and
salaries, organizing the purchases of supplies developing charts for recording operational
date, and observing and reporting on project operations.

3.4 Construction Services

A registered Civil Engineer may engage in construction contracting after being licensed
as a contractor by the Contractors Accreditation Board. It is considered unethical for a
civil engineer to allow his license to be used by any other construction company except
his own.

Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB)

Contractor's Licensing and Registration:
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. All architects and engineers
preparing plans and specifications for work to be contracted in the Philippines shall
stipulate in their invitation to bidders, whether a resident of the Philippines or not, and in
their specifications that it will be necessary for any bidder, whether contractor, sub-
contractor or specialty contractor, to have a license before his bid is considered. The
purpose of the Contractors License Law (R.A. 4566) is to ensure, for the safety of the
public, that only qualified and reliable contractors are allowed to undertake construction
in the country. The law also aims to promote for the benefit of the public and private
sectors and for the national interest, the orderly growth of the contracting sector and
the upgrading of construction capability

A registered Civil Engineer may provide the services of a supporting technical employee
as required of a construction company. He shall, however, be paid the professional fees,
in addition to his regular salary, for any design work he performs for which he signs as a
professional Civil Engineer and/or engineer on record.

A Civil Engineer may be employed in a project as:

• Construction engineer
• Resident Civil Engineer
• Project engineer
• Quality control engineer
• Cost engineer
• Engineer inspector .

In accordance with Section 23 of RA 544, only registered Civil Engineers can take charge
or supervise construction or alteration of any building or structure and any other civil
engineering works mentioned in Section 2 of the mentioned Republic Act.
The Civil Engineer when employed is similarly required to comply with the code of ethics
of the profession as the consulting. Civil Engineer.
3.5 Special Services for
Construction Services
Special services required during the study, design, construction, and operation phases of
a construction project may include investigations, reports, and activities beyond the
scope of the basic services.

Special services that may be provided by the Civil Engineer or negotiated with other
firms or sub-consultants by the Civil Engineer acting on behalf of the client could
include:

1. Geotechnical engineering – including test borings, sampling and analysis, and

recommendations.
2. Special studies, tests, and process determinations to establish design criteria
or demonstrate compliance.
3. Land surveys, establishment of boundaries and monuments, preparation of
easement descriptions, and related computations and drawings.
4. Engineering and topographic surveys for design and construction.
5. Mill, shop, or laboratory inspections of the materials and equipment.
6. Additional copies of reports, construction drawings, specifications, and other
documents as required for bidding and construction beyond the number
specified in the Basic Services agreement.
7. Extra travel and subsistence as defined by the agreement for engineering
services.
8. Value engineering
9. Redesign to reflect changes requested by the client or necessitated by the
client’s acceptance of substitutions proposed by the contractor.
10. Assistance to the client as an expert witness in litigation in connection with
the project or in hearings before approving and regulatory agencies.
11. Final investigations involving detailed consideration of operation,
maintenance, and overhead expenses; preparation of final rate schedules, and
earning and expense statements; appraisal, valuations, and material audits or
inventories required for certification of force account construction performed
by the client or for extra work done by the contractor.
12. Preparation of detailed applications and supporting documents grants or
advances for public works projects.
13. Plotting, computing, and filing of subdivision plans, staking of lots, and other
land planning and partitioning activities.
14. Preparation of environmental assessment and impact statements and other
assistance to the client in connection with public hearings.
 15. Additional studies and design efforts to meet the special conditions
encountered during construction.
16. Assistance to the client in the selection and engagement of architects, other
engineers, contractors and subcontractors, and observation and approval of
their services or work; contacts with governmental agencies to obtain permits
and documents; and other services related to project development.
17. Assessment of a completed project’s ability to meet its design intent relative
to capacity, maintainability, operability, or reliability.
18. Computer simulation and modeling.

3.6 Engineering Support Services

The engineering support services in general civil engineering practice may involve
drafting, land and construction surveying, and the other data gathering activities for
specialized purposes.
Although persons who are not Civil Engineers sometimes accomplish some of these
tasks, the procurement of adequate and correct dates usually requires professional Civil
Engineering judgment and guidance.
Since the soundness of any engineering decision is dependent upon the accuracy and
suitability of data obtained in field and laboratory investigations these supporting
services must be under the guidance of the Civil Engineer whose decisions will be based
upon those data.

3.7 Academic Services

These services involve full or part-time teaching or training of prospective professionals
and also the upgrading of knowledge and skills of fellows professionals.
Academic services may include:

1. The teaching of civil engineering courses in engineering colleges/universities

on part/full-time basis. As per RA 8981, all subjects for licensure examinations
shall be taught by persons who are holders of valid certificates of
registration/professional licenses and professional identification cards, or
special temporary permits, or a valid certificate of competency for the
profession issued by the Commission, and who comply with the other
requirements of the CHED.
2. Lecturing in Civil Engineering courses designed by the Philippine Institute of
Civil Engineers for practicing engineers who want to obtain CPD credits.
3. Conducting tutorials/refresher courses on civil engineering concepts and
related subjects.
 4. Serving as a Resources Speaker in Technical Session.
5. Writing technical articles and pamphlets.

3.8 Services as Employee

This is a condition when a Civil Engineer engages to perform work or fulfill duties
regularly for wages or salary being paid by an employer.

A Civil Engineer may be employed for any position or function in any commercial or
institutional organization. Where he is performing civil engineering functions, he is
required to follow the code of ethics for Civil Engineers and comply with the standards
and guidelines of this manual. A licensed Civil Engineer may not allow his license to be
used by the company that employs him without the proper agreement for his
professional services. Where the firm he is working for uses his license to sign and seal
the plans, specifications, and contract document, the Civil Engineer much charge the
professional fee for said services.

A Civil Engineer in part-time employment with a firm is considered to be an employee

and at the same time a consultant of the firm.

The standards for an employee and an individual consultant as defined in this manual
apply to this Civil Engineer.

Any Civil Engineer employed as an individual consultant of any firm, whether the firm is
performing engineering, commercial, administrative, management or financial services is
required to comply with the requirements and the standards herein established for a
consulting Civil Engineering firm or consulting Civil Engineer.

All Government Civil Engineers employed by the instrumentalities of the Government

e.g. national and local shall be governed by pertinent existing laws and regularities and
particularly to those prescribed by the Civil Service Commission. In case of any conflict
with any of the provisions of this Manual of Practice, such pertinent laws and regulations
shall take precedence and shall govern.
MODULE 4
4.1 Basis for Selection & Client's Selection Committee
The selection and engagement of the Civil Engineer is one of the most important
decisions to be made during the development of an engineering project.
No two Civil Engineers have the same:

• training
• experience
• capabilities
• personnel
• workloads
• particular abilities.

The selection of the most qualified Civil Engineer for a specific project will result in a
well-planned and designed, economical and successful project.
This module presents what experience has shown to be the best and therefore, the
recommended procedure for the engagement of a Civil Engineer.

Basis for Selection

The client should establish administrative policy and criteria for the selection of qualified
Civil Engineers for particular projects.
The client's first step is to define the proposed scope of the project.

• This may be a general statement of the performance equipment of the project.

• The tasks to be performed may be individually identified and defined.
• By clearly defining can accurately judge whether or not the Civil Engineer is best
equipped to provide them.

Some of the factors that should be considered in the selection process are:

1.
1. Reputation of the civil engineer as referred by the previous clients.
2. Validity of registration from PRC.
3. Qualifications and expertise in performing services.
4. Ability to assign a qualified staff on site to take charge of the project.
 5. Possession of financial and business resources to accomplish the
assignment.

• For government projects, EO 164 and PD 1594 as amended apply to the

procurement of consulting services and selection of a contractor for construction.

Client's Selection Committee

In big organizations, the person designated to select the civil engineer should be familiar with the
project requirements and should be free from pressure - internal or external.

The committee should comprise of three or more individuals, one of which is a professional civil
engineer. The individuals should demonstrate objectivity. Additionally, at least one should be
thoroughly familiar with civil engineering practices.

The committee is responsible for making recommendations after conducting appropriate

investigations, interviews, and inquiries. The final selection is then based upon the selection
committee's recommendation.

4.2 Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Procedure

The selection procedure is considerably enhanced when the client is fully familiar with
the purpose and nature of the proposed project, can describe the project in detail, and
can prepare a project scope and outline of services expected of the Civil Engineer.
In some cases, the client may not have professional staff available to define those things.
The client should still be familiar enough with the project requirements to understand
what is expected of the Civil Engineer.
The selection procedure, however, can be modified to suit the circumstances.

The client's usual steps in the selection procedure are presented below:
•
o (If the client has had a satisfactory experience with one or more
C.E., it may not be necessary to follow all the steps outlined.)

1. By invitation or be public notice, state the:

1. General nature of the project.
2. Services required
 3. Request statements
4. CE qualifications and experience
•

o RFQ. Request for qualifications. Request for general qualifications in a

selected area of expertise.
o RFP. Request for proposals. Shortlist for selecting a civil engineer
for a specific project.

1.
2. Prepare a budget expected from the potential civil engineer.
3. Evaluate statements. Select the best three civil engineers or firms.
4. Correspondence with the chosen engineers.
o Describe the project in detail including:
1. Scope of the project
2. Services required
o Proposal for the engineer to describe:

1. Plan for managing

2. Plan for performing the required services
3. Assigned personnel
4. Proposed schedule
5. Experience with similar projects
6. Office location where services will be performed\
7. Financial standing
8. Present workload
9. References
o Each civil engineer or firm should be given the opportunity to visit
the site, review data and obtain clarification of any required items.
o For complex projects, a pre-proposal conference might be
beneficial.
5. Interview and discussion.
6. Check with recent clients of each engineer about the performance of services.
7. List the engineers of preference.
8. The best-qualified engineer is invited to develop a detailed scope.
9. The engineer's proposed compensation should be taken into account.
10. If negotiations fail, inform the first civil engineer or firm through writing about
the termination of negotiation and then proceed to the second engineer.
 11. When an agreement (scope, schedule, compensation) has been reached, a
written contract is finalized.

4.3 Selection Procedure for "Level of Effort" Contract

A contract termed as "level of effort" is a type that has a procedure similar to cost
reimbursement. This contract requires the following:

1. A specified level of effort performed over a period of time given by the contractor.
This is only through general terms.
2. The client pays the contractor a fixed amount.

This type of contract is usually negotiated for the study of a specified research or investigation
and development area.

Payment under this contract is based on the effort expended and not on the results achieved.

This type of contract is used only when:

1. There is no definite scope of work defined.

2. An advance agreement is made on the required level of effort identified.
3. It is assumed that the intended result is impossible to achieve by expending less than
the stipulated effort.

Bidding
Professional engineering and architectural societies, recognize QBS as the preferred
method for the procurement of professional services.
Selection of CE and related service professionals, including consultants and sub-
consultants on construction projects, should result from the competition based on the
qualifications and resources best suited to complete a project successfully in terms of
performance quality and cost-effectiveness.

There are many reasons why bidding for consulting Civil Engineering services often
produces unsatisfactory results for the client. Principal among these are:
 1. Bidding does not recognize professional judgement, which is the key difference
between professional services and the furnishing of products. Judgement is an
essential ingredient in quality engineering services.
2. It is virtually impossible to completely detail in advance the scope of services required
for an engineering project especially for the study and preliminary phases, without
lengthy discussions and negotiations with the selected firm.
3. The consulting CE selected by the lowest bid will often provide only the minimum
services necessary to satisfy the client's scope of services.
4. The consulting CE's ability to be flexible and creative in meeting the client's
requirements is severely limited.
5. The engineering designs are likely to be minimal in completeness with the details left
to the contractor. This produces a lower first cost design but tends to add to the cost
of the completed project. The lack of design-details also can and frequently does lead
to a greater number of change orders during construction and to contractor claims at
a later date.

For these reasons, bidding for professional services is not recommended.

Two-Envelope System
1. This system involves submission of a technical proposal in one envelope and a price
proposal in a second envelope.
2. The client then evaluates the technical proposals and selects the best-qualified CE
based on that consulting CE's technical proposal.
3. At this point in the selection procedure, the client opens the price proposal submitted
in the second envelope and uses this as a basis for the negotiation of contractual
scope and fees.
4. The second envelopes submitted by the unsuccessful proposers are returned
unopened.

If the client follows this procedure, te net effect is as outlined in QBS procedure,
provided that the client and best qualified consulting CE have extensive discussions to
reach full agreement on the scope of services.

The two-envelope system is not recommended. If used as intended, it is similar to the

recommended QBS procedure except that the added cost to prepare a comprehensive
scope and price discourages some consulting CE from participating.
The costs to prepare a proper price proposal are considerable to the firms not selected,
which increases the overall business costs of consulting civil engineering and ultimately
of the clients.
Summary
The QBS procedure is characterized by three basic steps: (1) the owner evaluates and
selects the professional engineer based on demonstrated qualifications and experience
in the required types of services without considering fee; (2) the owner and the selected
professional engineer confer to determine and/or review the scope of work, including
contract scheduling; and (3) a fee for engineering services is negotiated based upon the
mutually developed scope of services. In the event a mutual agreement on scope of
services and fee is not achieved, the owner may negotiate with the next most qualified
professional. Thus, cost is addressed at the appropriate time after the scope of services
has been fully defined.
The cost of engineering services, while important and meriting careful negotiations, is
generally a relatively small percentage of the overall cost to plan, design, build, operate
and maintain a project and may be related to work that is not clearly defined at the time
the engineer is selected. Therefore, selecting consulting firm services based solely on
cost is not recommended.
Quiz - 3.0
Due
Oct 30 at 11:59pm
Points
10
Questions
10
Available
Oct 30 at 1:30pm - Oct 30 at 11:59pm
about 11 hours
Time Limit
90 Minutes

Instructions
Choose the best answer for each item. Module 3 quiz.

Attempt History
Attempt Time Score
LATEST Attempt 1
7 minutes 10 out of 10


Correct answers will be available on Nov 2 at 11:59pm.

Score for this quiz:

10 out of 10
Submitted Oct 30 at 6:37pm
This attempt took 7 minutes.

Question 1 1
/ 1 pts

This phase involves the preparation of documents consisting of final

design criteria, preliminary drawings, outline specifications, and written
descriptions of the project.

 
Study and Report Phase

 
Preliminary Design Phase

 
Final Design Phase

 
Operation Phase

Question 2 1
/ 1 pts

These services deal primarily with collecting, interpreting, and reporting

information, together with formulating conclusions and making
recommendations.

 
Construction services

 
Engineering support services

 
Consultation, research, investigation, and reports.

 
Academic services

Question 3 1
/ 1 pts

The services performed during this phase may include reviewing available
data and consulting with the client to clarify and define the client’s
requirements for the project This phase involves the determination of
project scope and economic and technical evaluation of feasible
alternatives. 

 
Preliminary Design Phase

 
Study and Report Phase

 
Final Design Phase

 
Construction Phase

Question 4 1
/ 1 pts
Services under this phase may include assisting the client in advertising
for and obtaining bids or negotiating proposals for each separate prime
construction contract, maintaining a record of prospective bidders to
whom bidding documents have been issued, attending pre-bid
conferences, and receiving and processing deposits for bidding
documents.

 
Final Design Phase

 
Bidding or Negotiating Phase

 
Preliminary Design Phase

 
Construction Phase

Question 5 1
/ 1 pts

The services performed during this phase may include, preparing

construction drawings and specifications showing the character and
extent of the project based on the final accepted preliminary design
documents. Usually undertaken only after the client has approved the
preliminary design phase material.

 
Operation Phase

 
Construction Phase

 
Study and Report Phase

 
Final Design Phase

Question 6 1
/ 1 pts
These services involve full or part time teaching or training of prospective
professionals and also the upgrading of knowledge and skills of fellows
professionals.

 
Engineering support services

 
Construction services

 
Special services for construction projects

 
Academic services

Question 7 1
/ 1 pts

This is a condition when a Civil Engineer engages to perform work or fulfill

duties regularly for wages or salary being paid by an employer.

 
Academic services

 
Design services for construction projects

 
Services as Employee

 
Construction services

Question 8 1
/ 1 pts

These services may involve drafting, land and construction surveying, and
the other data gathering activities for specialized purposes.

 
Engineering support services

  
Services as Employee

 
Academic services

 
Design services for construction projects

Question 9 1
/ 1 pts

These services may include the impact of a project upon the cycle costs,
financing considerations, and expected revenues as bases for
conclusions and recommendations regarding the advisability of
undertaking a project.

 
Preliminary and Feasibility Investigations and Reports

 
Assistance in Financial Matters

 
Planning Studies

 
Appraisals, Valuations, and Rate Studies

Question 10 1
/ 1 pts

A civil engineering service that is a systematic, organized approach to

providing necessary functions in a project at the lowest cost. It promotes
the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive alternatives,
without sacrificing functionality.

 
Environmental evaluations

 
Materials process design

 
Value engineering

 
Safety engineering

Quiz Score:
10 out of 10
Quiz - 4.0
Due
Nov 4 at 11:59pm
Points
10
Questions
10
Available
Nov 4 at 2:45pm - Nov 4 at 11:59pm
about 9 hours
Time Limit
90 Minutes

Instructions
Choose the best answer for each item. Module 4 quiz.

Attempt History
Attempt Time Score
LATEST Attempt 1
8 minutes 10 out of 10


Correct answers will be available on Nov 6 at 11:59pm.

Score for this quiz:

10 out of 10
Submitted Nov 4 at 2:58pm
This attempt took 8 minutes.

Question 1 1
/ 1 pts

Possession of financial and business resources to accomplish the

assignment is a factors that should be considered in the selection
process.

 
True

 
False

Question 2 1
/ 1 pts
The process of submitting a proposal (tender) to undertake, or manage
the undertaking of a construction project. The process starts with a cost
estimate from blueprints and material take-offs.

 
Bidding

 
Qualifications-Based Selection

 
Level of Effort Contract

 
Two-Envelope System

Question 3 1
/ 1 pts

This system involves the submission of a technical proposal in one

envelope and a price proposal in a second envelope.

 
Two-Envelope System

 
Qualifications-Based Selection

 
Bidding

 
Level of Effort Contract

Question 4 1
/ 1 pts

A procurement process for the competitive selection of engineering

services under which the most appropriate professional or firm is selected
based on qualifications such as knowledge, skill, experience, and other
project-specific factors, rather than on fees.
  
Qualifications-Based Selection

 
Level of Effort Contract

 
Bidding

 
Two-Envelope System

Question 5 1
/ 1 pts

In Qualifications-Based Selection procedure RFP means.

 
Request for proposals

 
Request for projects

 
Request for partnership

 
Request for protection

Question 6 1
/ 1 pts

The client's first step in the selection of civil engineer is to define the
proposed scope of the project.

 
True

 
False

Question 7 1
/ 1 pts

Qualifications and expertise in performing services is not a factor that

should be considered in the selection process.

 
True

 
False

Question 8 1
/ 1 pts

The reputation of the civil engineer as referred by the previous clients is

not a factor that should be considered in the selection process.

 
True

 
False

Question 9 1
/ 1 pts

In QBS the owner evaluates and selects the professional engineer based
on demonstrated qualifications and experience in the required types of
services without considering fee.

 
True

 
False

Question 10 1
/ 1 pts

In Qualifications-Based Selection procedure RFQ means.

 
Request for qualifications

 
Request for quantity

 
Request for question

 
Request for quartz

Quiz Score:
10 out of 10
5.1 Salary Cost * Multiplier + Direct
Non-Salary Expense
There are several methods by which the calculation of engineering consultant services
costs can be carried out in construction. It is possible to employ various charging
approaches at different phases of the consultant services.
The application of each method or combination of methods is dependent on the nature,
scope, and complexity of the required engineering services.

What are the Factors that Affect the Engineering Service

Cost in Construction?
There are various factors that control the cost of engineering services required for a
specific project. These factors are outlined below:

• The conditions at the project site.

• Degree of danger that may be encountered and exposure possibility.
• System of project delivery namely: design-bid-build, design-build, design-build-
operate-maintain.
• Type of developer or contractor or client owner.
• The owner's skill and experience in similar projects and the process of decision
making.
• Submittal and review numbers required by the owner and regulatory commissions.
• The number of meetings held for communities based on owner requirements.
• Types of schedules namely: conventional, delayed, or accelerated.
• Project complexity and number of involved specialties and subcontractors.
• Finally, other contract restrictions.

Methods for Charging Engineering Consultant Services

• Salary cost times multiplier plus direct non-salary expense (Reimbursable )
• Hourly billing rates plus reimbursable
• Per diem
• Cost-plus fixed fee (CPFF)
• Fixed-price
• Percentage of construction cost (Percentage)
Salary Cost Times Multiplier Plus Direct Non-
Salary Expense (multiplier)

Compensation on the basis of the salary cost times an agreed multiplier is a frequently
used method of determining charges for engineering services.
With this method, charges for engineering services are based mainly on direct sales.

• multiplier times salary cost (two multiplier version)

• multiplier times direct salary cost (one multiplier version)

Regardless of the method utilized as a basis of compensation, a provision in the

agreement should state that payments will be made to the Civil Engineer during the
progress of the services based on monthly invoices and within a reasonable time after
billing.

Factors Pertinent to Salary Cost Multiplier:

Salary Cost - or "direct salaries plus employee benefits"
Multiplier - which is applied to salary cost is a factor that compensates the CE for
overhead plus a reasonable margin for contingencies, interest, or invested capital
readiness to serve and profit.
- the size of multiplier may vary, but the average multiplier may be between 2.5 and 3.0
times the average salary cost.
Direct non-salary expenses - usually incurred in engineering engagements may include
the following:
•
o
▪ A. Living and traveling expenses of principals and employees
when away from the home office on business connected with
the project.
▪ B. Identifiable, communications, expenses, such as long-
distance telephone, facsimile, telegraph, shipping charges, and
special postage charges
▪ C. Expenses for services and equipment directly applicable to
the project such as for specialized technical equipment, special
legal and accounting services, special computer rental and
programming services, computer run time and file storage,
CADD charges, sub-consultants and subcontractors
commercial printing and binding and similar services that are
not applicable for inclusion in general overhead.
 ▪ D. Identifiable drafting supplies, stenographic supplies and
reproduction work (blueprinting, photocopying and printing )
as distinguished from such supplies and expenses applicable to
several projects
▪ E. Expenses for unusual insurance and specialized health and
safety programs and for special clothing for projects with
extraordinary risks such as toxic and hazardous waste
conditions.

CE's Overhead - comprises a major portion of the compensation generated by the

multiplier on salary cost, includes the following indirect costs:
•
o
▪ A. Provisions for office expenses
▪ B. Taxes and insurance other than those included as salary
cost
▪ C. Library and periodical expenses and other costs of keeping
abreast of advances in engineering, such as attendance at
technical and professional meetings and continuing education
courses.
▪ D. Executive, administrative, accounting legal, stenographic,
and clerical salaries and expenses (other than identifiable
salaries included in salary costs and expenses) plus salaries or
imputed salaries of partners and principals to the extent that
they perform general executive and administrative services as
distinguished from technical or advisory services directly
applicable to particular projects
▪ E. Business development expenses, including salaries of
principals and employees, so engaged
▪ F. Provision for loss of productive time of technical employees
between assignments, and for time of principals and employee
on public service assignments
▪ G. Costs of acquiring and maintaining computers, development
of software and training staff when not billed as a direct cost

There are specific project conditions for which the multiplier method for charging
consultant services is suitable. For example, if the scope of the project is not outlined
properly, the extend of the project is defined adequately, or substantially complex
projects.

5.2 Hourly Billing Rate & Per Diem

(Fixed Charge per Day)
Hourly billing rates plus reimbursable
This is very similar to the salary cost times multiplier method in that the hourly billing
rate includes all direct personnel expense, overhead, and profit
Direct non-salary expenses (as defined under the salary cost times multiplier section) are
a separate item for reimbursement, usually with a service charge.
Are used on projects where the scope of service is not well defined or to simplify-
accounting and record keeping.

Per diem
Per diem normally refers to an eight-hour day
Itis particularly suited to expert witness or other type legal-type services and to other
short-term engagements involving intermittent personal services.
Civil Engineers (CE) should be compensated for all of the time devoted to providing then,
including travel and standby -time.
Per diem rates can vary widely, depending on employee classification, regional location,
and period of service.
Rates for consultation in connection with litigation and appearances before commissions
and courts are normally higher than the standard rates

5.3 Cost Plus Fixed Fee & Fixed

Price
Cost-plus fixed fee
Under a cost-plus fixed fee agreement, the CE is reimbursed for the actual cost of all
services and supplies related to the project, including:

• Salary costs
• Overhead
• Direct non-salary expenses
• Fixed fee = an amount to compensate the Civil Engineer for contingencies, interest
on invested capital, readiness to serve, and profit.
The CPFF requires, as a prerequisite to equitable negotiations, that the client and the CE
define an agree upon the scope of services the CE is to perform.

It can also be used when the CE is required to start providing service before the detailed
scope of services can be determined. In such cases, the ff. considerations apply:

1. The general scale and intent of the project should be fairly well defined, even if the
full scope is indeterminate
2. The type of service to be performed by the CE should be agreed upon and fully set
forth.

Fixed Price
It is frequently used for investigations and studies and for basic services on design type
projects where the scope and complexity of the assignment are clear and fully defined.
Fixed price compensation for basic services on certain design type projects can also be
computed as an appropriate percentage of estimated construction costs.

A fixed price agreement should contain a clearly stated time period.

Partial payments should be made to the Civil Engineering at stated intervals, usually once
a month during the performance of the services. These payments are usually based on
the CE's statement of percent completion to date.

Unlike the other four methods discussed above, a lump sum or fixed price approach is
based on the completion of the project and the extent or range of the project needs to
be defined adequately. So, the scope of the project should be accepted and agreed upon
by both consultants and project owners.

5.4 Percentage of Cost

Construction
Percentage of Construction Cost
It is defined as the estimated total cost of constructing the facility to be covered by the
proposed detailed design or construction supervision services, excluding the fees and
other costs of such services, the cost of land and right-of-way, and legal and
administrative expenses.
This method is seldom used raw because of increasing complexity and large variation in
task for projects.

It may be used to determine the compensation of the engineer for services where the
principal responsibility is the detailed design or construction supervision of facilities to
be constructed.
The validity of the percentage-of construction cost method rests upon the assumption
that detailed design and construction supervision costs vary in proportion to the cost of
construction.

The percentage for shall consider the type, complexity location, and magnitude of the
construction cost of the project and shall not exceed the following percentages of
estimated construction cost:

• Feasibility studies - 3 %
• Detailed engineering design - 6 %
• Detailed architectural and engineering design - 8 %
• Construction and supervision -10 %

Schedule of Minimum Basic Fees

Certain principles should be observed as follows.

1. When doing work on foreign assisted projects on projects where international

consultants participate, the CE performing similar or equivalent work should accept
compensation that approximates the international standard rates.
2. CEs regularly employed in the private sector shall have a minimum compensation
corresponding to 10% more than the minimum wage prevailing in the region as a
basic monthly salary. CEs employed in the government sector shall have a minimum
basic monthly salary corresponding to appropriate entry positions provided by the
Civil service Commission.
 3. A CE employed in the private sector who signs and seals the Civil engineering plans,
specifications and other related documents of a certain project for and in behalf of
his employers shall be compensated with a minimum of 10 percent of the
professional fee for the project, over and above the basic monthly salary.

5.5 Composition of Total Project

Cost
Probable total cost is a major concern of the client throughout the planning design and
construction phases of a project. The probable total capital cost often used to establish
budgets for a typical project, is made up of:

1. Professional engineering costs

2. Construction costs
3. Legal and Land cost
4. Owner's costs, including project administration, staffing, financing, and other
overhead.
5. Contingency allowance for unknowns

Professional Engineering Costs

A civil engineer is often engaged to make a study and to render a planning report on the
contemplated project including alternative solutions, layouts, and locations along with
initial estimates of the probable project cost. This may involve alternative or phase
implementation schemes that add flexibility to the project.
The study and report phase may include the cost for field or traffic surveys, planning
analyses, geotechnical explorations, and analyses, in addition to the direct engineering
costs.
The cost of coordination, evaluation, implementation, and compliance has increased
correspondingly. The extent of these concerns may not be identified during the study
and report phase, and sometimes not even after final plans and specifications have been
prepared

Because projects widely in nature and scope, the study and report phase is important
because its implementation determines the scope and development of the entire project
and its ultimate capital and lifecycle cost.
At times, preliminary investigations become more extensive and lengthy that the study
and report phases cost as much more than the final design phase.

Construction Costs
It is the estimated total cost of constructing the facility to be covered by the proposed
detailed design or construction supervision services, excluding the fees and other costs
of such services, the cost of land and right of way, and legal administrative expenses of
the agency.
The estimated construction cost must be approved by the client before the invitation to
submit a technical proposal is issued.

Legal, Land, Administration, Staffing, Financial

Costs
These costs which include audits, the cost of issuing bonds, land costs, and interest for
borrowed money during construction, are part of the probable total project cost and can
be estimated in cooperation with the client because they are usually outside the
knowledge and control of the Civil Engineer.

Contingency allowance
As the project moves forward from the study and report phase through the final design
phase and finally to the construction award, more becomes known about project details
and costs, until at the completion of the project, the project cost becomes a known
quantity.
To provide for intangible costs, contingencies should routinely be added to the basic cost
estimate. It is common practice to add 20% or more to the estimated probable total
project cost at the completion of the study end report phase, reducing this to perhaps
10% at the completion of the final design and perhaps to 5% when the construction bids
become known. Larger or more complex may require higher contingencies.
Summary
An estimate of probable total project cost should be periodically revised by the
engineers as the design moves forward and more information becomes known.
The client is normally responsible for providing estimates of those costs which may lie
outside the Civil Engineers' knowledge or expertise, such as those in the legal, land,
administrative, and financial areas.
 MALACAÑANG
Manila

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1594

PRESCRIBING POLICIES, GUIDELINES, RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRACTS

WHEREAS, the present policies, rules and regulations covering government contracts for
infrastructure and other construction projects are generally fragmented and have been found to
be inadequate to cope with the intricate and complex process involved;

WHEREAS, there is a need to adopt a comprehensive, uniform, and updated set of policies,
guidelines, rules and regulations covering government contracts for infrastructure and other
construction projects in order to achieve a more efficient and effective implementation of these
projects.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the

powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree the following:

Section 1. Policy Objectives. It is the policy of the government to adopt a set rules and
regulations covering government contracts for infrastructure and other construction projects which
shall:

(a) bring about maximum efficiency in project implementation and minimize

project costs and contract variations through sound practices in contract
management;

(b) promote a healthy partnership between the government and the private
sector in furthering national development; and

(c) enhance the growth of the local construction industry and optimize the
use of indigenous manpower, materials and other sources.

Section 2. Detailed Engineering. No bidding and/or award of contract for a construction

project shall be made unless the detailed engineering investigations, surveys, and designs for
the project have been sufficiently carried out in accordance with the standards and
specifications to be established under the rules and regulations to be promulgated
pursuant to Section 12 of this Decree so as to minimize quantity and cost overruns and
underruns, change orders and extra work orders, and unless the detailed engineering
documents have been approved by the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and
Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, of the Minister of Energy, as the case may be.

Section 3. Prequalification of Prospective Contractors. a prospective contractor may prequalified

to offer his bid or tender for a construction project only if he meets the following requirements.

(a) Legal Requirements. The prospective contractor must have been licensed as
a contractor for the current year pursuant to Republic Act No. 4566, must have
paid his privilege tax to practice or engage in the contracting business for the
current year, must comply with the Administrative Order No. 66 of the Office of
the President of the Philippines, and must comply with other existing pertinent
laws, rules and regulations.

(b) Technical Requirements. The prospective contractor must meet the following
technical requirements to be established in accordance with the rules and
regulations to be promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of this Decree, to
 enable him to satisfactorily prosecute the subject project:

1) Competence and experience of the contractor in managing projects similar to

the subject project.
2) Competence and experience of the contractor's key personnel to be assigned
to the subject project.
3) Availability and commitment of the contractor's equipment to be used for the
subject project.

(c) Financial Requirements. The net worth and liquid assets of the
prospective contractor must meet the requirements, to be established in
accordance with the rules and regulations to be promulgated pursuant to Section
12 of this Decree, to enable him to satisfactorily execute the subject project. The
prospective contractor may be allowed to cover the deficiency in the required net
worth through a line of credit fully committed to the subject project by a bank or
financial institution acceptable to the Ministry concerned.

(d) Filipino participation. The Government shall promote maximum participation of

eligible Filipino contractors in all construction projects.

Section 4. Bidding. Construction projects shall generally be undertaken by contract after

competitive public bidding. Projects may be undertaken by administration or force account or by
negotiated contract only in exceptional cases where time is of the essence, or where there is lack
of qualified bidders or contractors, or where there is a conclusive evidence that greater economy
and efficiency would be achieved through this arrangement, and in accordance with provision of
laws and acts on the matter, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation
and Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as the case may
be, if the project cost is less than P1 Million, and of the President of the Philippines, upon the
recommendation of the Minister, if the project cost is P1 Million or more. A bidder's bond, in an
amount to be established in accordance with the rules and regulations to be promulgated
pursuant to Section 12 of this Decree, shall accompany the bid to guarantee that the successful
bidder shall, within a prescribed period from receipt of the notice of award, enter into account and
furnish the required performance bond for the faithful and complete prosecution of the work
specified in the contract documents.

Section 5. Award and Contract. The contract may be awarded to the lowest prequalified
bidder whose bid as evaluated complies with all the terms and conditions in the call for bid
and is the most advantageous to the Government. To guarantee the faithful performance of the
contractor, he shall, prior to the award, post a performance bond, in an amount to be established
in accordance with the rules and regulations to be promulgated under Section 12 of this
Decree. All awards and contracts duly executed in accordance with the provisions of this
Decree shall be subject to the approval of the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and
Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as the case may be.

Section 6. Assignment and Subcontract. The contractor shall not assign, transfer, pledge,
subcontract or make any other disposition of the contract or any part of interest therein except
with the approval of the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communications, the
Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as the case may be. Approval of the
subcontract shall not relieve the main contractor from any liability or obligation under his contract
with the Government nor shall it create any contractual relation between the subcontractor and
the Government.

Section 7. Responsibility of the Contractor. The contractor shall assume full responsibility for
the contract work until its final acceptance by the Government and shall be held responsible for
any damage or destruction of works except those occasioned by force majeure. Except likewise
for force majeure, the contractor shall be fully responsible for the safety, protection, security, and
convenience of his personnel, third parties, and the public at large, as well as the works,
equipment, installation and the like to be affected by his construction work.

Section 8. Adjustment Contract Price. Adjustment of contract price for construction projects may
be authorized by the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communications, the
Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as the case may be, upon
recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority, if during the effectivity
of the contract, the cost of labor, equipment, materials and supplies required for the construction
should increase or decrease due to direct acts of the Government. The adjustments of the
contract price shall be made using appropriate formulas established in accordance with the
rules and regulations to be promulgated under Section 12 of this Decree.

Section 9. Change Order and Extra Work Order. A change order or extra work order may be
issued only for works necessary for the completion of the project and, therefore, shall be within
the general scope of the contract as bidded and awarded. All change orders and extra work
orders shall be subject to the approval of the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and
Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as the case may
be.

Section 10. Inspection and Construction of Contract Work. Inspection of the contract work shall
be made by the Government while such contract work is in progress to ascertain that the
completed works comply in all respects with the standards and requirements set forth in the
contract documents. Notwithstanding such inspection, the contractor shall be held responsible
for the acceptability of the finished works. The contractor shall promptly replace all materials and
correct all works determined by the Government as failing to meet contract requirements.

Section 11. Government's Right to Take Over Contract Work. The Government may take over
the contract work should the contractor abandon the contract work, or unduly delay the
prosecution of the contract work, or become insolvent, or assign his assets for the benefit of his
creditors, or be adjudged bankrupt, or assign the contract work without written approval by the
Government, or violate any condition or term of the contract. In any of these cases, the
Government may terminate the employment of the contractor and take over the contract work
after giving due notice to the contractor and his sureties.

Section 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Minister of Public Works, Transportation
and Communications, as the lead official, the Minister of Public Highways, the Minister of
Energy, and the Director- General of the National Economic and Development Authority, shall
jointly promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Decree. Once
approved by the President of the Philippines, these implementing rules and regulations shall be
applicable to all contracts for infrastructure and other construction projects of all government
agencies including government-owned or controlled corporations and other instrumentalities.

Section 13. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Decree is held unconstitutional, the other
provisions shall remain valid.

Section 14. Repealing Clause. All Acts, Charters, Decrees, Letters of Instructions, Executive
Orders, Proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this
Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 15. Effectivity. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-eight.
 Resolution No. 02
Series of 1995
Promulgation of the Syllabi for the Subjects
in the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination

WHEREAS Sec. 10 Art II of R.A. No. 544: the “Civil Engineering Law” provides the subjects in the Civil
Engineering Licensure Examination;

WHEREAS the Commission has issued these policies and directives on licensure examinations: (1)
emorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 1992, (2) Res. No. 265, Series of 1993, (3) Memorandum Circular No. 93-
03, Series of 1993, and (4) Memorandum Circular No. 93-04, Series of 1993.

WHEREAS every syllabus for the examination subject containing the concepts/topics, with the
corresponding level of knowledge/proficiency shall be the basis for the test questions that will be inputted into
the test question bank; and

WHEREAS after consultation with the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS), the
various schools/ colleges offering the civil engineering course, and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers
(PICE), the board formulated its syllabi for the examination subjects.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of its quasi-legislative (rule-making) power under Sec. 4, Art. II of R.A.
No. 544, the Board hereby RESOLVED, as it now so RESOLVES, to adopt and promulgate the syllabi for the
subjects in the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (Annex “A”).

FURTHER, RESOLVED, that his resolution, upon approval by the Commission, shall be effective after
fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation,
whichever is earlier.

FINALLY, RESOLVED, that this resolution be widely circularized and disseminated to all concerned
through the DECS, the colleges offering the civil engineering courses, and the PICE.

Done in the City of Manila this 28th day of February, 1995.

ERNESTO S. DE CASTRO
Chairman

MACRA A. CRUZ ALBERTO S. OLAN, SR.

Member Member

Attested to:
CARLOS G. ALMELOR
Secretary, Regulatory Boards

Approved:
HERMOGENES P. POBRE
Commissioner

MARIANO A. MENDIETA
Associate Commissioner

ARMANDO C. PASCUAL
Associate Commissioner

Annex A
The Civil Engineering Licensure Examination Syllabi

Section 4 of the Civil Engineering Law (Republic Act 544) provides among other things the power to the
Board of Examinees for Civil Engineers to discharge such other powers and duties as may affect the ethical
and technological standards of the Civil Engineering profession in the Philippines. Section 10 enumerates the
subjects in which the applicants for certificates of registration shall be examined at the discretion of the Board;

NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Civil Engineering, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, that the
licensure examinations for Civil Engineering shall be in accord with the following guidelines:

I. Preparation of Examination Questions and Problems. The following shall be taken into
consideration in the preparation of questions and problems:
 a. The areas covered by the examination shall be those included in the topics enumerated
in the syllabus for the particular subject. The examination questions in each subject
shall be comprehensive and well balanced in scope.
b. Questions and answers should relate to matters which are of general applicability in the
civil engineering practice in the Philippines.
c. Questions and answers shall be framed in a clear and concise manner taking into
consideration thedegree or level of proficiency for each topic. Instructions or
requirements should be clearly stated.
d. The assigned weight and estimated time for each subject shall be indicated. Whenever
applicable, references shall be made to statements issued by:

a. The Board of Civil Engineering

b. The National Building Code of the Philippines
c. The National Structural Code of the Philippines
d. The National Standards Office
e. The National Water Resources Council
f. The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers
g. The Associate of Structural Engineers of the Philippines.

In areas not covered by Philippine sources, references may also be made to the official pronouncement
of authoritative standard setting agencies in the United States (ACI, ASCE, ASHTO, NSC, UBC), International
Building Officials (IBO), and the International Federation of Engineers (FIDIC) provided these pronouncements
are relevant to Philippine conditions.

e. Electronic and scientific calculators are allowed. However, programmable calculators

and pocket personal computers are not allowed and will be confiscated if brought to the
examination room.

II. Subjects of Examinations

Unless otherwise indicated, the topics of the subjects shall be effective in the May 1993 Licensure
Examinations. The Syllabi shall be fully effective starting on the May 1994 examinations.

A. MATHEMATICS AND SURVEYING

Mathematics

1.0 Algebra
1.1 Set Theory*
1.2 Real Numbers
1.3 Algebraic Expressions and Operations
1.4 Equations and Inequalities
1.5 Roots and Powers
1.6 Linear, Quadratic and Polynomial Functions
1.7 Factoring
1.8 Roots of Algebraic Equations
1.9 System of Equations
1.10Logarithmic and Exponential Functions
1.11Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions
2.0 Trigonometry
2.1 Circular (Trigonometric) Functions
2.2 Trigonometric Identities and Equations
2.3 Solution of Triangles
2.4 Hyperbolic Functions
3.0 Analytic Geometry
3.1 Cartesian Coordinate System
3.2 Functions and Relations
3.3 Functions and their Graphs
3.4 Straight lines
3.5 Conic Sections
3.6 Polar Coordinates
3.7 Transformation of Coordinates
3.8 Parametric Equations
4.0 Calculus
4.1 Differential Equations
4.1.1 Limits and Continuity
4.1.2 Derivatives and Differentiation
4.1.3 Application of Derivatives
4.1.4 The Differential
4.1.5 Partial Derivatives
4.2 Integral Calculus
4.2.1 Theory of Integrals
4.2.2 Integration Methods
4.2.3 Definite Integrals and Applications
4.2.4 Line and Surface Integrals
4.2.5 Multiple Integrals
5.0 Differential Equations
5.1 First Order Differential Equation
5.1.1 Exact Differential Equation
5.1.2 Integrating Factors**
5.1.3 Separable Variables
5.1.4 Homogeneous Differential Equations
5.1.5 Linear Differential Equations
5.1.6 Applications
5.2 Higher Order Differential Equations
6.0 Other Topics
6.1 Infinite Series
6.1.1 Molaurin Series
6.1.2 Taylor Series
6.1.3 Fourier Series
6.2 Complex Variables**
6.3 Vector Analysis
6.4 Matrices*
6.5 Determinants*
6.6 Probability and Statistics
7.0 Engineering Economy
7.1 Present Economy Study
7.2 Time-Value Relations
7.3 Selection Among Alternatives
7.3.1 Present Worth Method
7.3.2 Annual Worth Method
7.3.3 Future Worth Method
7.3.4 Internal Rate of Return Method
7.3.5 External Rate of Return Method

Surveying

1.0 Surveying Concepts

1.1 Uses of Surveys
1.2 Operations in Surveying
1.3 Measurement and Adjustments
1.4 Field and Office Work
1.5 Surveying Instruments
2.0 Basic Surveying Measurements
2.1 Distance Measurements
2.1.1 Pacing
2.1.2 Distance Measurement with Tape
2.2 Vertical Distance Measurement; Leveling
2.3 Angle and Direction Measurement
2.3.1 Location of Points
2.3.2 Meridians
2.3.3 Bearing and Azimuth
2.3.4 Magnetic Declination
2.3.5 Instruments Used
2.3.5.1 Engineers Transit
2.3.5.2 Theodolite
2.4 Stadia and Tacheometry
2.4.1 Principles of Stadia
2.4.2 Plane Table and Alidade
3.0 Survey Operations
3.1 Traverse
3.1.1 Deflection Angle Traverse
3.1.2 Interior Angle Traverse
3.1.3 Traverse by Angle to the Right
3.1.4 Azimuth Traverse
3.1.5 Compass Traverse
3.1.6 Stadia Traverse
3.1.7 Plane Table Traverse
3.2 Calculation of Areas of Land
3.2.1 Area by Triangle
3.2.2 Area by Coordinates
3.2.3 Area by Double Meridian Distance (DMD) and Latitude
3.2.4 Irregular Boundaries (Simpson’s and Trapezoidal Rules)
3.3 Triangulation and Trilateralization
3.3.1 Horizontal Control System
3.3.2 Triangulation Figures and Procedures
3.3.3 Error Propagation
3.3.4 Trilateralization
3.4 Astronomical Observation
3.4.1 Celestial Sphere
3.4.2 Equator System
3.4.3 The PZS Triangle
3.4.4 Aximuth and Hour Angle at Elongation
3.4.5 Time
3.4.6 Solar Observation
3.4.7 Stellar Observation
4.0 Engineering Surveys
4.1 Topographic Survey
4.1.1 Horizontal Control
4.1.2 Vertical Control (contours)
4.1.3 Location of Details
4.2 Route Surveying
4.2.1 Horizontal Curves
4.2.1.1 Simple Curves
4.2.1.2 Compound Curves
4.2.1.3 Superelations
4.2.1.4 Spiral Curves
4.2.2 Vertical Curves
4.2.3 Earthwork Operations
4.2.3.1 Methods of Determining Earthwork Volumes
4.2.3.2 Borrow Pits
4.3 Hydrographic Surveys
4.3.1 Datum
4.3.2 Soundings

B. HYDRAULICS

1.0 Fluid Mechanics

1.1 Properties of Fluids
1.2 Fluid Statics
1.3 Fluid Flow Concepts and Basic Equations
1.4 Dimensionally Analysis and Dynamic Similitude
1.5 Viscous Flow and Fluid Resistance
1.6 Ideal Fluid Flow
1.7 Steady Flow in Closed Conduits
1.8 Steady Flow in Open Channels
2.0 Hydrology
2.1 Hydrologic Cycle
2.1.1 Precipitation
2.1.2 Streamflow
2.1.3 Evaporations
2.1.4 Transpiration
2.2 Hydrograph Analysis
2.2.1 Runoff
2.2.2 Storage Routing
2.3 Groundwater
3.0 Hydraulics, System and Structure
3.1 Reservoirs
3.2 Dams
3.3 Spillways, Gates, and Outlet Works
3.4 Open Channels
3.5 Pressure Conduits
3.6 Hydraulics Machinery
4.0 Irrigation, Flood Control and Drainage
4.1 Irrigation
4.1.1 Water Requirement
4.1.2 Soil-Water Relation
4.1.3 Water Quality
4.1.4 Methods
4.1.5 Structures
4.2 Flood Control
4.2.1 Design Flood
4.2.2 Flood Control Structures
4.3 Drainage
4.3.1 Estimate of Flow
4.3.2 Storm Drainage
4.3.3 Land and Highway Drainage
4.3.4 Culvets and Bridges
4.3.5 Drainage Structures
5.0 Water Supply and Sewerage
5.1 Fundamental Concept
5.1.1 Mathematics of Growth (Population Forecasting)
5.1.2 Environmental Chemistry
5.1.3 Mass and Energy Transfer
5.2 Water Supply and Treatment
5.2.1 Components of Water Supply System
5.2.1.1 Water Reservoir and Storage
5.2.1.2 Water Distribution System
5.2.1.3 Water Containment Structures
5.2.2 Water Consumptions Periods of Design
5.2.3 Pre-treatment Methods
5.2.4 Principles of Sedimentation
5.2.5 Sedimentation Tank Design
5.2.6 Coagulation-Sedimentation
5.2.7 Slow Sand Filtration
5.2.8 Rapid Sand Filtration
5.2.9 The Rapid Sand Filter
5.2.10 Underdrain System
5.2.11 Wash Troughs
5.2.12 The Washing Process
5.2.13 Clear Well and Plant Capacity
5.2.14 Water Disinfection
5.3 Waste Water Treatment
5.3.1 Quantity
5.3.2 Methods
5.3.3 Theory of Activated Sludge
5.3.4 Aration Tank
5.3.5 Biokinetic Parameters*
5.3.6 Clarifiers

C. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

1.0 Statics of Rigid Bodies

1.1 Force System
1.1.1 Concurrent and Non-current Force System
1.1.2 Parallel and Non-parallel Force System
1.1.3 Planar and Three Dimentional Force System
1.1.4 Distributed Forces
1.1.5 Frictional Forces
1.2 Equilibrium of Forces
1.2.1 Reactions
1.2.2 Free Body Diagram
1.2.3 Two Force Bodies
1.2.4 Three Force Bodies
1.3 Truss Analysis
1.3.1 Method of Joints
1.3.2 Method of Sections
1.3.3 Graphical Methods
1.4 Beams and Frames
1.4.1 Reactions
1.4.2 Shear Diagrams
1.4.3 Bending Moment Diagrams
1.5 Related Topics
1.5.1 Moment of Lines and Areas
1.5.2 Centroids
1.5.3 Moments of Inertia
1.5.4 Center of Mass
1.5.5 Center of Forces
2.0 Dynamics of Rigid Bodies
2.1 Kinematics of Particles
2.1.1 Rectilinear Motion
2.1.2 Curvilinear Motion
2.2 Kinetics of Particles
2.2.1 NewtonÕs Second Law
2.2.2 Dynamic Equilibrium
2.2.3 Work and Energy Principle
2.2.4 Kinetic and Potential Energy
2.2.5 Impulse and Momentum Principle
2.3 Kinematics of Rigid Bodies
2.3.1 Translation
2.3.2 Rotation
2.3.3 General Plane Motion
2.4 Kinetics of Rigid Bodies
2.4.1 DÕLambertÕs Principle
2.4.2 Work and Energy Principle
2.4.3 Impulse and Momentum Principle
3.0 Mechanics
3.1 Stresses and Strains
3.2 Material Properties
3.3 Axially Loaded Members
3.4 Thin Walled Pressure Vessels
3.5 Torsional Stresses
3.6 Internal Forces and Stresses in Beams
3.6.1 Flexural Stress
3.6.2 Shear Stress
3.6.3 Combined Stresses
3.6.4 Principal Stresses
3.6.5 Unsysmetrical Banding
3.7 Deflections
3.7.1 Double Integration Methods
3.7.2 Area Moment Method
3.7.3 Conjugate Beam Method
3.8 Statistically Indetermine Beams
3.9 Shear Center
3.10 Curved Beams
3.11 Nonhomogenous Beams
3.12 Impact Loading
3.13 Stress Concentration
3.14 Repeated Loading
3.15 Elastic Instability (Buckling)
3.16 Analysis of Connections
3.16.1 Riveted and Bolted Connections
3.16.2 Welded
4.0 Structural Analysis
4.1 Loadings
4.1.1 Verical Loads (dead and live loads)
4.1.2 Lateral Loads (Wind and Earthquake Loads)
4.1.3 Impact Loads
4.2 Energy Methods for Deformation Analysis
4.2.1 CastiglianoÕs Theorem
4.2.2 Virtual Work Method (Unit Load)
4.3 Influence Lines
4.4 Frame Analysis
4.4.1 Approximate Methods
4.4.2 Exact Methods*
4.4.3 Moment Distribution
4.5 Stiffness and Flexibility Methods of Analysis**
4.5.1 Trusses
4.5.2 Beams
4.5.3 Frames
5.0 Design of Timber Structures
5.1 Properties of Wood
5.2 Design of Tension Member
5.3 Design of Bending Members
5.3.1 Laterally Supported Beams
5.3.2 Laterally Unsupported Beams
5.4 Design of Compression Members
5.4.1 Short Columns
5.4.2 Slender Columns
5.4.3 Spaced Columns
5.5 Timber Connections
6.0 Design of Steel Structures
6.1 General
6.1.1 Properties of Structural Steel
6.1.2 Design Philosophy
6.1.2.1 Allowable Stress Design
6.1.2.2 Load and Resistance Factor Design
6.2 Tension Members
6.3 Connections
6.3.1 Bolted
6.3.2 Welded
6.4 Compression Members
6.5 Beams
6.5.1 Compact Sections
6.5.2 Non-compact Sections
6.6 Beam Columns
6.7 Plastic Analysis and Limit Design*
6.8 Composite Steel and Concrete
7.0 Reinforced Concrete Structures
7.1 General
7.1.1 Properties of Concrete Materials
7.1.2 Design Philosophies and Procedures
7.2 Flexural Analysis and Design
7.3 Shear and Diagonal Tension
7.4 Bond, Anchorage Development Lengths
7.5 Serviceability Requirements
7.5.1 Crack Control
7.5.2 Deflections
7.6 Columns
7.6.1 Short Columns
7.6.2 Slender Columns
7.7 Slabs
7.8 Footings
7.9 Retaining Wall
7.10 Prestressed Concrete
8.0 Soil Mechanics and Foundation
8.1 Soil Properties
8.2 Soil Classification
8.3 Flow of Water in Soils
8.3.1 Permeability
8.3.2 Seepage
8.3.3 Effective and Porewater Pressure
8.4 Soil Strength
8.4.1 Shear Strength
8.4.2 Bearing Capacity
8.5 Compressibility of Soils
8.5.1 Elastic Settlement
8.5.2 Consolidation Settlement
8.6 Soil Improvement
8.6.1 Compaction
8.6.2 Soil Stabilization
8.7 Earth Pressures and Retaining Wall
8.8 Slope Stability Analysis
9.0 Design of Civil Engineering Structures and Systems
9.1 Transportation Engineering**
9.1.1 Highway and Urban Transportation Planning and Economics**
9.1.2 Driver, Vehicle, Traffic and Road Characteristics**
9.1.3 Highway Design
9.1.4 Traffic Engineering and Highway Operations**
9.1.5 Road and Pavement Design
9.2 Airport Engineering**
9.3 Ports and Harbors
9.4 Containment Structures (Tanks, soils, storage tanks)
9.5 Bridges
10.0 Construction and Management
10.1 Engineering Relations and Ethics**
10.2 Contracts & Specifications
10.3 Construction Project Organization
10.4 Planning and Scheduling (PERT/CPM)
10.5 Construction Estimates
10.6 Construction Methods & Operations
10.7 Construction Equipment Operations and Maintenance

III. CONDUCT OF THE EXAMINATIONS

Unless otherwise officially announced, the examinations shall be totally computerized. The Board shall
provide a minimum of 500 questions for each subject from which the computer of the Commission will select at
random on the day or a few days prior to the examination the questions to be given. The number of questions
for each subject shall not be less than 20 at 4 points each. The maximum number of questions shall not be
more than 100 at 1 point each. The examination shall be closed books and notes. Examinees shall be given 10
computation and scratch sheets which must be submitted with the answer sheets.

IV. CHANGES IN THE SYLLABI

The Syllabi can be changed from time to time only with the introduction of the new methods and technology
in civil engineering but not more than once every three years.
 Republic Act No. 544*
(As Amended by R.A. 1582)
An Act to Regulate the Practice of Civil Engineering
in the Philippines
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

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.”

(a) The practice of civil engineering within the meaning and intent of this Act shall embrace services in
the form of consultation, design, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection, installation and
supervision of the construction of streets, bridges, highways, railroads, airports and hangars, port works,
canals, river and shore improvements, lighthouses, and dry docks; buildings, fixed structures for irrigation, flood
protection, drainage, water supply and sewerage works; demolition of permanent structures; and tunnels. The
enumeration of any work in this section shall not be construed as excluding any other work requiring civil
engineering knowledge and application.

(b) The term “civil engineer” as used in this act shall mean a person duly registered with the Board for
Civil Engineers in the manner as hereinafter provided.

Article II

BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

Section 3. Composition of Board.” Within thirty days after the approval of this Act there shall be created
a Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be composed of a chairman
and two members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the
Commissioner of PRC. The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three years after appointment
or until their successors shall have been appointed and shall have qualified. The first members of the Board
appointed under this Act shall hold office for the following terms: One member for one year; one member for
two years; and one member for three years. Each member of the Board shall qualify by taking the proper oath
of office before entering upon the performance of his duties. Any member of the Board may be removed by the
President of the Philippines, upon recommendation by the Professional Regulation Commission for neglect of
duty, incompetency, malpractice, unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or dishonorable conduct, after having
been given opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation: Provided, That during the
process of investigation, the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the PRC, shall have the
power to suspend such member under investigation and shall appoint a temporary member in his place.
Vacancies in the Board shall be filled for the un expired term only.

Section 4. Powers and Duties of the Board.” The Board for Civil Engineers is vested with authority,
conformable with the provisions of this Act, to administer oaths, issue, suspend and revoke certificates of
registration for the practice of civil engineering, issue certificates of recognition to civil engineers already
registered under this Act for advanced studies, research, and/or highly specialized training in any branch of civil
engineering subject to the approval of the PRC, to investigate such violations of this Act and the regulations,
there under as may come to the knowledge of the Board and, for this purpose, issue subpoena and subpoena
duces tecum to secure appearance of witnesses in connection with the charges presented to the Board, to
inspect at least once a year educational institutions offering courses in civil engineering, civil engineering works,
projects or corporations, established in the Philippines and, for safeguarding of life, health and property, to
discharge such other powers and duties as may affect ethical and technological standards of the civil
engineering profession in the Philippines. For the purpose of this Act, the Director of Public Works and/or his
authorized representative in the provinces and chartered cities shall be ex-officio agents of the Board and as
such it shall be their duty to help in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. The Board may, with the
approval of the Professional Regulation Commission issue such rules and regulations as may be deemed
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. The board shall also adopt a code of ethics in the practice of
civil engineering and have an official seal to authenticate its official documents.
 Section 5. Qualifications of Board Members.” Each member of the Board shall, at the time of his
appointment:

a. Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;

b. Be at least thirty years of age and of good moral character;
c. Be a graduate of civil engineering from a recognized and legally constituted school, institute,
college or university.
d. Be a registered civil engineer duly qualified to practice civil engineering in the Philippines;
e. Have practiced civil engineering, with a certificate as such, for a period of not less than ten years
prior to his appointment.
f. Not be a member of the faculty of any school, institute, college, or university where civil
engineering course is taught, nor have a pecuniary interest in such institutions;
g. No former members of the faculty of any school, institute or university where civil engineering is
taught can become a member of the Board unless he had stopped teaching for at least three
consecutive years.

Section 6. Fees and Compensation of Board.” The Board for Civil Engineers shall charge for each
application for examination the sum of P100 (one hundred) payable to the collecting and disbursing officer of
the PRC upon filing of said application, and for each certificate of registration, fifty pesos. Each member of the
Board shall receive a compensation of fifteen pesos for each applicant examined. A civil engineer in the service
of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines appointed as member of the Board shall receive the
compensation as herein provided, in addition to his salary in the Government. All authorized expenses of the
Board, including the compensation provided for herein, shall be paid by the collecting and disbursing officer of
the PRC out of such appropriation as may be made for the purpose. (See RA 6511 & PD 223)

Section 7. Annual Report.” The Board shall, at the end of each fiscal year, submit to the PRC a detailed
report of its activities and proceedings during the period covered by the fiscal year ended.

Article III

EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

Section 8. Examination Requirement.” All applicants for registration for the practice of civil engineering
shall berequired to pass a technical examination as hereinafter provided.

Section 9. Holding of Examination.” Examination of candidates desiring to practice civil engineering in

the Philippines shall be given in the City of Manila of each year, provided that such days do not fall on official
holidays, otherwise the examinations shall be held on the days next following.

Section 10. Subjects of Examination.” Applicants for certificate of registration as civil engineer shall be
examined, in the discretion of the Board, on the following subjects: mathematics, including algebra, plane and
spherical trigonometry, analytics, descriptive and solid geometry, differential and integral calculus, and rational
and applied mechanics; hydraulics; surveying, including highway and railroad surveying; plane, topographic and
hydrographic surveying, and advance surveying; design and construction of highways and railroads, masonry
structures, wooden and reinforced concrete buildings, bridges, towers, walls, foundations, piers, ports, wharves,
aqueducts, sanitary engineering works, water supply systems, dikes, dams and irrigation and drainage canals.

Section 11. Executive Officer of the Board.” The Commissioner of Professional Regulation Commission
shall be the executive officer of the Board and shall conduct the examinations given by the said Board. He shall
designate any subordinate officer of the Professional Regulation Commission to act as the Secretary and
custodian of all records including examination papers and minutes of the deliberation of the Board.

Section 12. Qualifications for Examination.” Any person applying for admission to the civil engineering
examination as herein provided shall, prior to the date of the examination, establish to the satisfaction of the
Board that he has the following qualifications:

a. Be at least twenty-one years of age;

b. Be a citizen of the Philippines;
c. Be of good reputation and moral character; and
d. Be a graduate of a four-year course in civil engineering from a school, institute, college or
university recognized by the Government or the State wherein it is established.
 Section 13. Oath of Civil Engineers.” All successful candidates in the examination shall be required to
take a professional oath before the Board of Civil Engineers or other Government Officials authorized to
administer oaths, prior to entering upon the practice of the civil engineering profession.

Section 14. Seal and Use of Seal.” All registered civil engineers shall obtain a seal of such design as
the Board shall authorize and direct: Provided, however, That the serial number of the certificate issued by the
Board shall be included in the design of the seal. Plans and specifications prepared by, or under the direct
supervision of a registered civil engineer shall be stamped with said seal during the life of the registrant’s
certificate, and it shall be unlawful for any one to stamp or seal any documents with said seal after the
certificate of registrant named thereon has expired or has been revoked, unless said certificate shall have been
renewed or re-issued.

Section 15. Exemption from Registration.”

1. Registration shall not be required of the following persons:

a. Officers or enlisted men of the United States and Philippine Armed Forces, and civilian
employeesof the Government of the United States stationed in the Philippines while rendering
civil engineering services for the United States and/or Philippines.
b. Civil engineers or experts called in by the Philippine Government for consultation, or specific
designand construction of fixed structures as defined under this Act, provided that their practice
shall be limited to such work.

2. Any person residing in the Philippines may make plans on specifications for any of the following:

a. Any building in chartered cities or in towns with building ordinances, not exceeding the space
requirement specified therein, requiring the services of a civil engineer.
b. Any wooden building enlargement or alteration which is to be used for farm purposes only and
costingnot more than ten thousand pesos.
c. Provided, however. That there shall be nothing in this Act that will prevent any person from
constructing his own (wooden or light material) residential house, utilizing the services of a
person or persons required for the purpose, without the use of a civil engineer, as long as he
does no violate local ordinances of the place where the building is to be constructed.

3. Nor shall anything in this Act prevent draftsmen, student clerk-or-work, superintendents, and other
employees of those lawfully engaged in the practice of civil engineering under the provisions of this Act, from
acting under the instruction, control or supervision of their employer.

4. Nor shall anything in this Act prevent any person who prior to the approval of this Act have been
lawfully engaged in the practice of “maestro de obras” to continue as such, provided they shall not undertake
the making of plans supervision for the following classes of work:

a. Building of concrete whether reinforced or not.

b. Building of more than two stories.
c. Building with frames of structural steel.
d. Building of structures intended for public gathering or assemblies such as theaters,
cinematographs, stadia, churches, or structures of like nature.

5. Nor shall anything in this Act prevent professional architects and engineers to practice their
professions.

Section 16. Refusal to Issue Certificate.” The Board for Civil Engineers shall not issue a certificate to
any person convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or to
any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or to any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable
conduct, or to any person of unsound mind. In the event of a refusal to issue a certificate to any person, the
Board shall give to the applicant a written statement setting forth its reason for such action, which statement
shall be incorporated in the records of the Board.

Section 17. Suspension and Revocation of Certificates. “ The Board shall have the power, after due
notice and hearings to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration for any cause mentioned in the
preceding section.

Section 18. Re-issue and Replacement of Certificates. “ The Board may, after the expiration of one year
from the date of certificate of registration is revoked and for reasons it may deem sufficient, entertain an
application for a new certificate of registration from the registrant concerned. Such application shall be
accomplished in the same form prescribed for examination, but the Board may, in its discretion, exempt the
applicant from taking the requisite
examination.
 Section 19. Transitory Provisions.” As soon as this Act takes effect, any person desiring to practice the
profession of civil engineering shall be required to obtain a certificate of registration in the manner and under
the conditions hereinafter provided. All civil engineers duly licensed under the provisions of Act Numbered
Twenty-nine hundred and eighty-five, as amended, at the time this Act takes effect, shall be automatically
registered under the provisions hereof. Certificates of registration held by such persons in good standing shall
have the same force and effect as though the same have been issued under the provisions of this Act. All
graduates in civil engineering from a school, institute, college, or university recognized by the Government who
have passed the civil service examination for senior civil engineer and have been practicing or employed in the
Government as such during five years are exempted from taking examination.

Article IV

ENFORCEMENT OF ACT AND PENAL PROVISIONS

Section 20. Enforcement of the Act by officers of the law.” It shall be the duty of all duly constituted law
officers of the national, provincial, city and municipal governments, or any political subdivisions thereof, to
enforce the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any person violating the same.

Section 21. Registration required.” Unless exempt from registration, no person shall practice or offer to
practice civil engineering in the Philippines without having obtained the proper certificate of registration from the
Board for Civil Engineers.*

Section 22. Penal provisions.” Any person who shall practice or offer to practice civil engineering in the
Philippines without being registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act or any person presenting or
attempting to use as his own the certificate of registration of a registered civil engineer, or any person who shall
give any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board, or any person who shall impersonate any registrant
civil engineer of different name or any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of
registration, or any person who shall use in connection with his name or otherwise assume, use or advertise
any title or description tending to convey the impression that he is a civil engineer, without holding a valid
certificate of registration, or any person who shall violate any of the provision of this Act, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine of not less than five hundred pesos nor more
than two thousand pesos, or to suffer imprisonment for a period of not less than six months not more than one
year, or both, in the discretion of the court.

Article V

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 23. Preparation of plans and supervisions of construction by registered civil engineer.” It shall
be unlawful for any person to order or otherwise cause the construction, reconstruction, or alteration of any
building or structure intended for public gathering or assembly such as theaters, cinematographs, stadia,
churches or structures of like nature, and any other engineering structures mentioned in section two of this Act
unless the designs, plans, and specifications of same have been prepared under the responsible charge of, and
signed and sealed by a registered civil engineer, and unless the construction, reconstruction and/or alteration
thereof are executed under the responsible charge and direct supervision of a civil engineer. Plans and designs
of structures must be approved as provided by law or ordinance of a city or province or municipality where the
said structure is to be constructed.

Section 24. The practice of civil engineering is a professional service, admission to which must be
determined upon individual, personal qualifications. Hence, no firm, partnership, corporation or association may
be registered or licensed as such for the practice of civil engineering: Provided, however, That persons properly
registered and licensed as civil engineers may, among themselves or with a person or persons properly
registered and licensed as architects, form, and obtain registration of, a firm, partnership or association using
the term “Engineers” or “Engineers and Architects,” but, nobody shall be a member or partner of such firm,
partnership or association unless he is duly licensed civil engineer or architect, and the members who are civil
engineers shall only render work and services proper for a civil engineer, as defined in this Act, and the
members who are architects shall also only render work and services proper for an architect, as defined in the
law regulating the practice of architecture; individual members of such firms, partnership or association shall be
responsible for their own respective acts.

Section 25. Reciprocity requirements.” No person who is not a citizen of the Philippines at the time he
applies to take the examination shall be allowed to take it unless he can prove in the manner provided by the
Rules of Court that, by specific provision of law, the country of which he is a citizen, subject, or national either
admits citizens of the Philippines to the practice of the same profession without restriction or allows them to
practice it after an examination on terms of strict and absolute equality with citizens, subjects, or nationals of the
country concerned, including the unconditional recognition of degrees issued by institutions of learning duly
recognized for the purpose by the Government of the Philippines: Provided, That if he is not a citizen of the
Philippines, and was admitted to the practice of a profession in the Philippines after December 8, 1941, his
active practice in that profession, either in the Philippines or in the state or country where he was practicing his
profession, shall not have been interrupted for a period of two years or more prior to July 4, 1946, and that the
country or state from which he comes allows the citizens of the Philippines by specific provision of law, to
practice the same profession without restriction or on terms of strict and absolute equality with citizens, subjects
or nationals of the country or state concerned.

Section 26. Roster of civil engineers.” A roster showing the names and places of business of all
registered civil engineers shall be prepared by the Commissioner of PRC periodically but at least once a year.
Copies of this roster shall be placed on file with the PRC and furnished to all department heads, mayors of all
chartered cities, to the Director of Public Works, to such other Bureaus, government entities or agencies and
municipal and provincial authorities as may be deemed necessary and to the public upon request.

Section 27. Repeal.” All laws, parts of laws, orders, ordinances, or regulations in conflict with the
provisions hereof; including parts of Act Numbered Twenty-nine hundred and eighty-five, as amended, as
pertains to the practice of civil engineering, are hereby repealed, except the provisions of Act Numbered Thirty-
one hundred and fifty nine amending Act Numbered Twenty-nine hundred and eighty-five, pertaining to the
practice of “maestro de obras.”

Section 28. Construction of Act.” If any part or section of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional,
such declarations shall not invalidate the other provisions hereof.

Section 29. Effectivity.” This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 17, 1950 (As amended by R.A. No. 1582, approved on June 16, 1956).
Act. 4211 (Effective August 2, 1935)
Permitting under-aged persons to take the board examination on condition that they will
not practice their profession until they attained the required age.

RA 545 (Effective June 17, 1950)

Regulating the practice of Architecture

RA 1080 (Effective June 15, 1954)

Making bar and board examinations equivalent to 1st-grade civil service eligibility.

RA 4566 (Effective June 19, 1965)

Regulating constructions.

RA 5181 (Effective September 8, 1967)

Requiring residence and reciprocity in the exercise of professions by aliens.

PD 1350 (Promulgated April 7, 1978)

Allowing applicants for citizenship to take board examination pending the approval of
their petition.

RA 10912 (Effective August 16, 2016)

An act that requires CPD as the mandatory requirement for the renewal of the
Professional Identification Card.

Resolution No. 2019-1146 (Effective March 1, 2019)

Reduction of required CPD points as resolve to the issues of RA 1032 or the IRR of RA
10912.