Module 2.

Civil Engineering and Society and other Professions

Civil engineering is one of the oldest and broadest engineering professions. It focuses on the
infrastructure necessary to support a civilized society. They are planned to design and build many systems
that are central to everyday life. They work to prevent or minimize damage due to natural disasters. Civil
Engineers also work to reduce air, water and soil pollution, develop alternative energy sources and
improve congested transportation systems. There are foundations in Civil; Mathematics, Physics,
Structural Analysis, Material Science, Fluid dynamics, Thermodynamics and heat transfer. Civil
Engineers generally work in a variety of locations and conditions. It is common for them to split their
between working in an office and working outdoors at construction sites so that they can monitor
operations or solve problems onsite. Civil Engineering plays an important role to the society for
maintaining the overall safety of in a number of ways Rural Engineering. Planning and overseeing
different construction efforts and apply Civil Engineering principles. Analyzing different factors
regarding a construction project especially in Construction area, surrounding area, work that needs to be
completed and steps or the process of work for the construction. In process of analyzing different factors,
it consists of investigation and verifying whether that location is feasible for the construction or not.

Objectives: At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. To understand what is the relationship of Civil Engineering to the society and other
professions.
2. To deepen the knowledge of every learner about the importance of Civil Engineering to
society.
3. To gain more information about the other professions/organizations and its vital role for
the Civil Engineering course.

Civil Engineering and Society and Other Professions/Organizations

Civil Engineering is one of the oldest branches of applied sciences. It comprises the design,
construction as well as maintenance of public structures and infrastructure. By developing the
infrastructure for our society, civil engineers are basically giving shape to the history of a nation. Only by
going deep into the duties that civil engineers do, one can understand the importance of their job and their
many responsibilities.

Civil Engineers must work with other professions to thrive. They all contribute right from the
development of the brief through the design and construction processes. Civil engineers also work closely
with many other professionals in meetings, design stages, and project execution, making the profession
quite interesting and engaging.

Civil Engineering and Society

Civil engineering is said to be the oldest engineering discipline, conceive, design, build,
supervise, operate, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private
sector. They generally work in a variety of locations and conditions. It is common for them to split their
time between working in an office and working outdoors at construction sites so that they can monitor
operations or solve problems onsite, most work is full time. Civil Engineering had important
qualifications, when it comes to education, s/he needs a bachelor’s degree, they typically need a graduate
degree and licensure for promotion to senior positions. CE must have important qualities like decision
making skills, leadership skills, math skills, organizational skills, problem solving skills, speaking skills
and writing skills.

Society is defined as a group of people, who share a common economic, social and industrial
infrastructure. It is an organization of people who share a common cultural and social background. Civil
engineering has different practices to society, they maintain the overall safety of the society in a number
of ways, planning and overseeing different construction efforts and apply civil engineering principles.
They also analyze different factors regarding a construction project, the construction area, surroundings
area, work that needs to be completed and the steps or the process of work for the construction. They also
conduct investigation verifying whether a location is feasible for the construction or not. After they
analyze the different factors, they prepare reports ensuring rules, regulations and guidelines to be properly
followed.

Civil engineering contributions are vital to society, as they giving shape to the history of nation.
They also increase health and quality of life. Also, the common issues about them when it comes to
society are corruption on public/private infrastructure and in order to solve this, as a civil engineer/ a
future CE, we must perform our duties according to what was the ethics that we’ve learned especially in
the field of engineering.

Civil Engineering and Other Professions/Organizations

Professions/professionals should have vocational qualifications, often involving an element of

practical training. Usually, they are linked with a specific industry and are designed to help you improve
and develop relevant skills for a particular career path. Civil Engineers and the other profession play an
important role to their relationship as professionals; these other professions serve as a co-worker. The
Architects who plan and design houses, factories, buildings and other structures. The Civil Engineering
Technician who helps civil engineers to plan and design infrastructure projects. The Construction
managers who plan, coordinate, budget and supervise projects from start to finish. Environmental
engineers use the principles of engineering to develop solutions to environmental problems. The
Landscape Architects who design parks and outdoor spaces of campuses, Mechanical Engineers who
design, built and develops mechanical and thermal sensors and devices including tools engines and
machines. Other than that, are the surveyors who make precise measurements to determine property
boundaries and the urban and regional planners who develop land use plans and programs that help create
communities and metropolitan areas. They are just some of professions who are related to civil
engineering.

These other professionals/professions contribute meaningfully, they provide presentable

infrastructure to the other professions like for example, clinics for registered doctors and schools and
universities for teachers and learners. They also provide extra income for other professions from private
transactions like business contracts. There are some instances that Civil Engineers might have a common
issue with the other professions, they might have sabotage with other professionals like the contractors of
a certain structure and the Civil Engineer. In order to solve this, together with other professions, Civil
engineers must be a good role model in a way of performing their job with a guidance of moral principle.

Civil Engineering Organizations

Professional engineering organizations are engineers who work in a particular technical field or
otherwise have a common interest, exchange technical knowledge, regulate professional practices,
influence public order and morals, and profession traditions. And is the main channel for maintaining
reputation. These organizations, like engineering professionals, have a relatively recent origin and
emerged during the Industrial Revolution. In contrast, the main subject of engineering is technology of
ancient origin.

Professional Organization/s in the Philippines

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, or PICE, is a professional civil engineering
organization in the Philippines. It was formed by the merger of two separate civil engineering
associations: one from the government sector and the other from the private sector. On November 5,
2014, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III issued a proclamation pursuant to Proclamation No. 904
signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. declaring the month of November each year as Civil
Engineering Month [5], bringing attention and awareness to the Filipino people of the importance of civil
engineers in the country’s development. PICE has over 90,578 registered civil engineers-members in 105
branches and 12,632 student civil engineers-members in 210 student branches nationwide as of 2019. In
the late 1920s, a group of civil engineers from the government sector established the Philippine Society of
Civil Engineers (PSCE), the country’s first civil engineering organization, with Engr. Marcial Kasilag
serving as its first president. The Philippine Association of Civil Engineers (PACE) was founded in 1937.
This time, it was a group of private-sector civil engineers led by Engr. Enrique Sto. Tomas Cortes. The
goals of the two organizations are similar in that they aim to “raise the standards of the profession,
encourage knowledge of research, engineering, and technology, promote fellowship among members, and
promote engagement.” “communicate with other technological and scientific societies.” The fact that
PACE was more active than PSCE resulted in the transfer of many PSCE members to PACE. Through the
efforts of PACE president Alberto Guevarra, Republic Act No. 544 (also known as the “Civil Engineering
Law”) was passed in 1950. PACE president Engr. Cesar A. Caliwara attempted to merge the two
organizations in 1972. The leaders of PACE and PSCE negotiated and discussed the name. Some issues,
such as formal counting and transfer of assets and liabilities, accreditation of bona fide members, and
election rules for first officers, were previously discussed and resolved. As a result, the Philippine
Institute of Civil Engineers Inc. was founded. The Securities and Exchange Commission issued a
certificate of registration with the association on December 11, 1973. The first election of officers took
place in February 1974, and Engr. Cesar Caliwara was elected as the first president. The provincial
branches were established in order to truly unite the Philippine civil engineers. PICE was recognized as
the only official civil engineering association in the Philippines by the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) on August 13, 1975.

Top Civil Engineering Companies in the Philippines

1. ABRATIQUE & ASSOCIATES - its success is firmly based on a commitment to deliver
significant results, performance, and value to customers. They achieve this through the use of
cutting-edge technology, decades of professional experience, and the technical expertise of
their staff, who are competitively trained and tailored to meet the diverse needs of their
clients. The organization’s senior members are well-known in the industry and have extensive
experience in the design, construction, and operation of large-scale engineering projects
throughout the United States and the Philippines. Abratique and Associates values its
employees and recognizes that they are the most important resource for the company. They
constantly nurture and support their employees in order to improve their technical proficiency
and enable them to reach their full potential. Abratique and Associates attracts top talent and
places a premium on career development and skill development.
2. SICCION - Siccion Surveying Equipment was founded in 1965 and pioneered as one of the
Philippines’ civil engineering companies involved in the manufacture of surveyors’ steel
tapes, umbrellas, wooden tripods, leveling rods, and steel range poles. The venture grew from
a husband-and-wife operation to a full-staffed organization when it incorporated in 1980
under its current name, Siccion Marketing, Inc. The company later distributed imported
brands of surveying, engineering, drafting, hydrological, and meteorological instruments and
supplies, in addition to its own surveying instruments.

3. JGC PHILIPPINES, INC. (JPHIL) - was founded in 1989 as JGC Corporation of Japan’s first
global engineering office. JPHIL attributes this recognition to the quality of its people, who
are also regarded as one of the most valuable assets that have allowed us to grow and become
one of the country’s largest EPC companies. JPHIL, as one of JGC Corporation’s largest
subsidiaries, contributes to the latter’s position as one of the top global design firms and
international contractors. JPHIL continuously nurtures its people by providing them with
challenging career opportunities, personal and professional advancement, generous employee
benefits, and welfare programs. It currently employs over 1,000 technically competent
engineers and non-engineering professionals. JGC Philippines promotes employee career
development through long-term employment. JGC is constantly looking for ways to improve
their employees’ technical skills and other competencies in order to strengthen the company’s
ability to execute local and international projects. JGC supports employee development
through ongoing training programs and continuous investment in cutting-edge engineering
tools and technologies.

4. SMEC PHILIPPINES - SMEC is one of the Philippines’ oldest civil engineering firms,
having been in operation since 1974 and opening a permanent office in Manila in 1993. The
Australian Aid-funded Zamboanga del Sur Development Project in Mindanao was SMEC’s
first project in the Philippines. This project included road and bridge rehabilitation, as well as
water supply and wastewater services. To meet the needs of clients all over the world, SMEC
combines global expertise and experience with local knowledge. Their diverse professional
workforce consists of highly respected experts who bring talent, experience, and passion to
their fields. They push boundaries and look beyond the scope of the project to help shape a
better future. SMEC offers a rewarding career path for enthusiastic and collaborative
achievers who are motivated to make a difference through its strong capabilities in local
markets and expanding presence in global markets. Every employee plays an important role
in shaping and expanding the business, and SMEC is dedicated to developing talent and
promoting personal and professional development.

5. ECSA INCORPORATED - ESCA, founded in 1982 by Ernesto S. de Castro, Ph.D., provides

structural design, civil engineering, and project and construction management services. ESCA
has developed and applied their expertise in commercial, industrial, institutional, and
residential projects of varying scale and complexity, both locally and internationally, over the
course of thirty years of operation. Their portfolio includes several of the country’s most
recognizable landmarks, which were completed with the help of their clientele, which
includes a variety of prominent businesses from both the United States and abroad.
Candidates in all Engineering and Architecture trades can benefit from experiential learning
at ESCA. ESCA employs the necessary technologies as well as the most up-to-date software
and programs for the job. ESCA Management believes in collaborating with employees as
partners in achieving the organization’s overall goal. ESCA is an excellent place to advance
your career. If you’re looking for an exciting place to work where you can develop and apply
 your skills in Structural Design, Civil Engineering, Building Information Management
(BIM), and Project and Construction Management, ESCA may be the place for you.

6. SMCC PHILIPPINES - Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd. (SMCC) was formed on
April 1, 2003, by the merger of Japan’s two largest construction companies, Mitsui
Construction Co., Ltd. And Sumitomo Construction Co., Ltd. Through synergy, the
representative offices and subsidiaries of both companies that have expanded throughout
Asia, Africa, and the United States have unified their know-how, experiences, and resources,
allowing the company to establish a global reputation for quality and expertise. SMCC
Philippines, Inc. has quickly grown to become one of the country’s largest foreign
contractors. Civil and building works, as well as some of the country’s flagship projects, have
been completed, creating thousands of jobs for Filipinos and thus contributing to the
country’s development. SMCC Philippines, Inc. is proud to have made a positive contribution
to society and will continue to do so through conscientious business operations that provide
the most dependable, dependable, and creative design and build solutions.

Professional Engineering Organization/s outside the Philippines

1. National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
- Established in 1934 and is one of the only professional organizations for engineers that
has stated goal of addressing the non-technical concerns of professional and licensed
engineers. It is currently one of the only nontechnical organizations in America to support
engineers.

2. IEEE
- noted for being the world’s largest technical professional organization that prides itself on
the advancement of technology in all fields of engineering. With over 420,000 members
spanning 160 countries, it is an international organization that is active in corporate
identity, governance, global public policy, and education.

3. American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES)

- Was established in 1979 and is one of the five best professional organizations for
engineering. It is a nonprofit organization that aims to be a collective voice for the
engineering community in the United States.
4. Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Base on the name of the organization they focus on the women within the field. It is one
of best professional organizations for engineers because it provides leadership
workshops, educational programs, and more in an inclusive manner for women who are
interested in becoming the best in the field.

5. International Engineering Consortium (IEC)

- was established in 1944 and is the leading nonprofit organization that brings together
both universities and engineering societies for the purpose of the continuing education of
engineers.

Civil Engineering Organizations

1. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
 - Founded in 1852 and has a purpose of the group is the advancement of the science and
profession of Civil engineering and the enhancement of human welfare through the
activities of society members.

2. Earthquake Engineers Research Institute (EERI)

- Formed in 1948 and is a leading technical society in dissemination of earthquake risk and
earthquake engineering research globally.

3. United States Society of Dams (USSD)

- Providing public awareness in management of dams. -America’s leading organization of
professionals dedicated to advancing the role of dams for the benefit of society.

4. American Concrete Institute (ACI)

- Founded in 1904 and provides advancing concrete knowledge by conducting seminars,
managing certification programs, and publishing technical documents.

5. American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

- Founded in 1893 and a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions committed
to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. ASM International
provides authoritative information and knowledge on materials and processes, from the
structural to the nanoscale.

6. International Permafrost Association (IPA)

- Founded in 1983 -Promote of knowledge concerning permafrost and promotes
cooperation among persons and national or international organizations engaged in
scientific investigation and engineering work on permafrost.

7. Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)

- is a professional society representing those practicing the field of fire protection
engineering.

Advantages and Disadvantages of being a member of a professional organization

All young professionals know that expanding your network is a good step in your career to form a
circle of like-minded people and shape future career opportunities. Sometimes it can feel like a daunting
task, as dating can be difficult and paying membership fees can be painful. It is believed that joining a
professional engineering association or organization is undeniable valuable wherein it has the function to
promote, serve, and represent a country’s engineering professionals for the public’s benefit.
Advantages
1. Advocacy Work in Your Chosen Field
2. Continuing Education Opportunities
3. Further the Career
4. Access to a Community of Peers/Mentorship
5. Stay up-to-date on Engineering News

Disadvantages
1. Fees
 2. Expenses
3. Time
4. Socializing
5. Pressures

Test your knowledge!

I.
1. What is the relationship of Civil Engineering to the society? Explain briefly.
2. Give the qualities that a Civil Engineer should possess.
3. Why Civil Engineer contributions are vital to society? Explain briefly.
4. What are the common issues about them when it comes to society?
5. How to be a professional?
6. Give at least three (3) professions who contributed as a co-worker to Civil Engineer.
7. How other professionals/professions contribute meaningfully?
8. What are the common issues with other professions?
9. From all the Professional Organizations, whether from the Philippines or not, which of them do
you think plays an important role to the Engineering Professionals and why?
10. Give at least 3 advantages and disadvantages of being a member of a professional organizations
and briefly describe each.

Summary
Civil Engineering is one-of-a-kind profession which plays an important role for the society, for
the people’s health and quality of life. They are the ones who maintain better infrastructures for public
and private sectors, from developing water supplies, municipal sewer systems, basic water treatment
plants, to the design of buildings to protect us from natural hazards and provide health care. Civil
engineers have developed the basic infrastructure on which modern society depends, they were the first
engineers and continue to be dedicated to technology development for the common good and the public.
And as future civil engineers, we must perform our duties according to what was the ethics that we’ve
learned especially in field of engineering because we have important contributions to society. The others
professions have also an important role in civil engineering, together with the other profession, civil
engineer must be a good role model in a way of performing their job with a guidance of moral principle.
Civil engineering and society and other professions should work together for a purpose especially for the
common good and they should instill in their minds the code of professional ethics.

Links to Useful Resources

Civil Engineering
https://civiltoday.com/civil-engineering-blog/1-civil-engineering

Engineers must work with other professions for infrastructure to ‘thrive’

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/engineers-must-work-with-other-professions-forinfrastructure-
to-thrive-10-09-2020/
Civil Engineering and Society
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/422517960/Civil-engineering-and-Society

How Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors Work Together

https://bettersworthandassociates.com/2018/05/how-civil-engineers-and-land-surveyors-worktogether/

Professional Organizations – Civil Engineering

https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282899&p=1885112

Answers to self-assessment test:

1. Civil Engineers maintain the overall safety of the society in a number of ways Rural Engineering.
2. • Decision making skills
• Leadership skills
• Math skills
• Organizational skills
• Problem solving skills
• Speaking skills
• Writing skills
3. They are vital to the society as they give shape to the history of a nation also they increasing health and
quality of life.
4. The common issues about them when it comes to society are corruption on public/private
infrastructure.
5. To be a professional, one should have vocational qualifications, that involves an element of practical
training. Sometimes, they are linked with a specific industry and are designed to help improve and
develop relevant skill for a particular career path.
6. • Architects
• Civil Engineering Technician
• Construction Managers
• Environmental Engineers
• Landscape Architects
• Mechanical Engineers
• Surveyors
• Urban and Regional Planners
7. Other professionals/professions contribute meaningfully as they provide presentable
infrastructure to the other professions from private transactions (legal).
8. The common issue with other professions is they might sabotage with other professionals like the
contractors of a certain structure and the Civil Engineer.
9. Answer varies
10. Advantages
Advocacy Work in Your Chosen Field
Continuing Education Opportunities
Further the Career
Access to a Community of Peers/Mentorship
Stay up-to-date on Engineering News
 Disadvantages
Fees
Expenses
Time
Socializing
Pressures

References

Civil Today (n.d.) Civil Engineering. Retrieved December 16, 2021from https://civiltoday.com/civil-
engineering-blog/1-civil-engineering/

How Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors work together. (2018, May 30). Retrieved December 16, 2021
from https://bettersworthandassociates.com/2018/05/how-civil-engineers-and-landsurveyors-
work-together/

Jensen, K. (n.d.) The Disadvantages of Belonging to a Professional Organizations. Retrieved December

15, 2021 from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/disadvantages-belonging-professional-
organization-20038.html

Kennedy, C. (2020, September 10). Engineers must work with other infrastructures to thrive. Retrieved
December 16, 2021 from https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/engineers -must-work-
withother-professions-for-infrastructure-to-thrive-10-09-2020/

New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers (2017, September 1). 5 Benefits of Joining a Professional
Engineering Association. Retrieved December 15, 2021 from https://njspe.org/2017/09/01/5-
benefits-professional-engineering-associations/
University of Michigan (2021, December 3). Professional Organizations – Civil Engineering. Retrieved
December 15, 2021 from https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282899&p=1885112

Wikipedia (2019, November 25). Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers. Retrieved December 17, 2021
from https://tl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natatangi:History/Philippine_Institute_of_Civil_Engineers