Civil engineering may have commenced between 4000 and 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt and as early as

8000 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed around
3300 BCE in present-day India and Pakistan

At around 2800 to 2400 BCE, the construction of the pyramids in Egypt began. 2550 BC, Imhotep, the
first documented engineer, built a famous stepped pyramid for King Djoser located at the Saqqara
Necropolis.

Qanat Water Management System - the oldest—older than 3000 years and longer than 71 km

The Parthenon - by Iktinos in Ancient Greece (447-432 BC), was constructed to be the focus of the
Acropolis building complex

Appian Way - by Roman engineers (c. 312 BC), the oldest and most sophisticated examples of early road
engineering ever constructed

The Great Wall of China - by General Meng T’ien under orders from Ch’in Emperor Shih Huang Ti (c. 220
BC), is the world's largest military defense structure

Jetavanaramaya Stupas - At 122 meters (400 ft), it was the world's tallest stupa, was built by King
Mahasena of Anuradhapura in the 11th century.

Roman Aqueduct Systems - were built over a period of about 500 years, from 312 B.C.E. to C.E. 226.
Both public and private funds paid for construction. the Roman emperors Augustus, Caligula, and Trajan.

Sennacherib's Aqueduct at Jerwan built in 691 BC

Li Ping's irrigation projects in China (around 220 BC);

Julius Caesar's Bridge over the Rhine River built in 55 BC,

Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct, Nimes, France) built in 19 BC;

Extensive irrigation system constructed by the Hohokam Indians, Salt River, AZ around 600 AD;

A treatise on Architecture, Book called Vitruvius' De Architectura, was published at 1AD in Rome and
survived to give us a look at engineering education in ancient times. It was probably written around 15
BC by the Roman architect Vitruvius and dedicated to his patron, the emperor Caesar Augustus, as a
guide for building projects.

JOHN SMEATON

- First self-proclaimed “Civil Engineer”

- “Father of Civil Engineering”

- Date of Birth: June 8, 1724

- Birth Place: Austhorpe, United Kingdom

- Date of Death: October 28,1792

- Education: Leeds Grammar School

- Awards: Copley Medal award

- Spouse: Ann Jekinson

In 1748, John published his first engineering paper, which focused on bridge maintenance. It dealt with a
technique for restoring Westminster Bridge's sunken pier in London.

He started a business in 1750, and began working to develop the navigational and astronomical
instruments. He created a pyrometer to study material expansion as well as a rotating speculum or
horizontal top, among many other tools.

The Society of Civil Engineers was founded in 1771 by Smeaton, who is credited with being the first self-
described "civil engineer". The Society was also a precursor to the Institute of Civil Engineers, which was
founded in 1818. The organization was given the name Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers in 1830 in
his honor. It is still in operation today and was the first engineering society in the world.

CONTRIBUTIONS:

The Efficiency of Water Power - In 1759, John received the Copley Gold Medal for his paper titled "An
Experimental Enquiry Concerning the Natural Powers of Water and Wind to Turn Mills and Other
Machines Depending on Circular Motion," which Smeaton published in the same year.

Smeaton’s Tower - The Eddystone Lighthouse, a structure needed to warn sailors away from the
Eddystone cliffs, located 14 miles southwest of Plymouth, was famously entrusted to John Smeaton by
the President of the Royal Society in 1756.

Forth and Clyde Canal - The most notable of the projects mentioned above. The canal created a
waterway that connected the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Together with the harbors he built or
refurbished, his bridges at Perth, Banff, and Coldstream elevated transportation.

The Use of Steam - Thomas Newcomen created the steam engine in 1712. (also known as the
atmospheric engine). When steam was pulled into a cylinder and condensed, a partial vacuum was
generated, allowing atmospheric pressure to force a piston into the cylinder and power the engine.

Diving Bell - Smeaton worked on a lot of water-related projects. Smeaton used a concept created
originally by Denis Papin in 1789. Smeaton enhanced the diving bell by utilizing a force pump to
maintain the pressure and clean air inside.

Greece, 460 BCE - Hippodamus of Miletus - Based on Aristotle's work called 'Politics', he was extremely
influential and many aspects of urban designs like rectangular city blocks and straight streets with
avenues at right angles — can all be attributed to him.

Ancient Rome - Ancient Romans - are one the greatest engineers of the past with roads, tunnels,
bridges, and plenty of aqueducts and water supplies throughout their lands.

Mesopotamia, 691 BCE - This is where The Aqueduct of Jerwan was found, one of the world's first
notable public water works and was built by Syrian engineers.
Central London, 18th - 19th Century - Sir Joseph William Bazalgette - designed a sewer network for
Central London that relieved the city of its cholera epidemic and by treating the water and cleansing the
polluted River Thames, which took nearly 20 years to complete.

The Institution of Civil Engineers was founded in London in 1818, and its first president was the eminent
engineer, Thomas Telford. In 1828, the institution was granted a Royal charter, formally recognizing civil
engineering as a profession.

Norwich University, founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge, was the first private college in the
United States to teach civil engineering. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute conferred the first degree in
civil engineering in the United States in 1835. Cornell University conferred the first such degree to a
woman, Nora Stanton Blatch, in 1905.

In 1839, the private College for Civil Engineers in Putney was founded, and in 1840, the University of
Glasgow established the UK's first Chair of Engineering.

Spanish Colonial Era - Social prejudice prevented Filipino builders from being called civil engineers, and
they were instead referred to as "Maestro de Obras" or Master Builders. "Ilustrados" or the elite group
called Maestro de Obras to build structures in villas and mansions.

1571 - On June 24, 1571, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi founded the City of Manila. After the establishment of
the city, the Spaniards began building Fort Santiago (Fuerte de Santiago) under Spanish rule. The fort has
a roughly triangular shape with a perimeter of 2,030 feet (620 m). This is one of Manila's most
prominent historical sites.

1586 - The stone fortification called Nuestra Senora de Guia was designed and built by Jesuit priest
Antonio Sedeno from 1586 to 1587. It was originally a circular fort but was renovated in 1593 to join the
walls of the city.

1591-1634 - Construction work for Santiago castle/fortress started in 1591 and completed in 1634. It
wasdesigned by Leonardo Iturrino. It was the second most important fortress to be built of stone in
Manila. The first stone fortress in Manila was the Nuestra Señora de Guía fortress.

1599 - St. Augustine Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It was built in 1599 but was
destroyed and rebuilt many times. The church has thick walls and features Corinthian and Ionic designs.

1621 - Don Bernardino Castillo donated a lot for the San Sebastian Church. The original church made of
wood was burned in 1651 during a Chinese uprising. The succeeding structures were destroyed twice by
fire and an earthquake in 1859, 1863, and 1880, respectively. Father Esteban Martinez approached
Spanish Architect Genero Palacios with a plan to build a fire and earthquake-resistant church made
entirely of steel. The engineering technique used in the construction of the church, including metal
fixtures and the overall structure, were from Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower.

1632 - Puente Grande is the first bridge to cross the Rio del Pasig in Manila. It connects Intramuros and
Binondo. It underwent several reconstructions and renovations due to damage caused by earthquakes.

1686 - Fr. Manuel Camanes built the first artesian wells in Betis, Pampanga. Fr. Juan Peguero
constructed the water works in Manila in 1686, which later became MWSS. Fr. Jose Delgado built the
first irrigation system in Tanay, Rizal.
17th Century - Cavite Friar Land Irrigation System is one of the oldest irrigation systems in the
Philippines.

1846 - The Pasig River Lighthouse was the first masonry-built lighthouse in the Philippines. Located on
the north jetty at the mouth of Pasig River, Manila. It marked the entrance to the river for vessels
looking to dock on the ports along the banks of the river in Manila. Known as “Farola” and was one of
the most conspicuous landmarks in the harbor of Manila in the early part of the 20th century.

1852 - Puente Colgante was the first suspension bridge built in Southeast Asia, started in 1849 and
completed in 1852. Built and owned by Ynchausti y Compañia, headed by Jose Joaquin de Ynchausti,
who commissioned the design from Basque engineer Matias Menchacatorre.

1868 - The Bureau of Public Works and Highways (Obras Publicas) and Bureau of Communications and
Transportation (Communicationes y Meteologia) were organized under a civil engineer known as
“Director General”

1875 - The General Plan for Railways was created in 1876 for Luzon island, including a 1,730 km
network. A 192 km track was built between Manila and Dagupan, operating from 1892. The railway
system's notable works were the bridge over Pampanga River and Tutubán Station.

1878 - In 1878, the government planned to establish a public transport network with five tramway lines
connecting the city and its outskirts. Plan included a main station at San Gabriel. Plan also included
crossing the river via the "Puente de España". The founding of Carriedo Waterworks

1880 - Academia Practica y Artes Oficios de Manila, a school for Maestro de Obras, was established. Julio
Hernandez (1891), Isidro Medina (1894), Arcadio Arellano (1894), and Juan Carreon (1894) were its first
Filipino graduates (1896). The Puente de Convalecencia, often known as the Ayala Bridge, was built in
1880. It was originally made up of two independent spans united by the Isla de Convalecencia, which
houses the Hospisio de San Juan.

1883-1892 - Antonio dela Camara conducted a study for the first railroad project between Manila and
Dagupan. The study was approved on November 1, 1883. Manila-Dagupan railroad construction began
on July 31, 1887. On November 24, 1892, the Manila-Dagupan railroad was completed. It was put into
commercial operations on the same day.

1898 - The Organic Decree issued by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898 created four government
departments, including the Department of War and Public Works. The department was responsible for
building and maintaining roads, bridges, and other public structures during the revolutionary period.

1899 - The Malolos Constitution was ratified during a general assembly of Congress and the First
Philippine Republic was created. US Major-General Elwell S. Otis announced US President William
McKinley's instructions for the Benevolent Assimilation of the Philippines in a letter dated January 4,
1899.

1900 - Leon Ma. Guerrero founded the Liceo de Manila, a private institution that offers academic
courses for maestro de obras. The first private institution to grant an academic title for Maestro de
Obras
1902 - On September 14, 1902, the Academia de Arquitectura y Agrimensura de Filipinas (AAAF) was
created, which was the first professional association of architecture and surveyors in the Philippines.

1903 - The AIAAF merged with the Liceo to establish the Escuela de Ingeniera y Arquitectura, which
offered a five-year course in architecture and civil engineering.

1905 - The Escuela de Ingeniera y Arquitectura, which offered a five-year course in architecture and civil
engineering, ceased to operate after its first year of inception.

1907 - The school was established on May 18, 1907, as the School of Civil Engineering with one program
offering leading to the degree of Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE).

1908 - UST was reorganized and reopened for students. This time, the Escuela offered a three-year
course. The course had three specializations: architecture, civil engineering, and electrical engineering.

1909 - Wawa Dam, also known as Montalban Dam, is a gravity dam in Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines. It
was built in 1909 during the American colonial era to provide water for Metro Manila.

1910 - The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines appointed W.J. Colbert as acting Dean of
the College of Engineering, effective June 13, 1910.

1911 - In 1911, the AIAAF was dissolved. Civil engineers, along with other engineering professionals,
withdrew from the organization to form their own professional organization, called the Philippine
Society of Engineers (PSE).

18 January 1917 – 03 October 1922 - The first cabinet comprised of Filipinos was organized during the
American colonial period. Gov. Gen. Francis B. Harrison appointed Cebu governor Dionisio Jakosalem as
Secretary of Commerce and Communication.

1921 - The Engineers and Architects Law (Act No. 2985) was passed on February 23, 1921.The law
created separate Board of Examiners for civil engineering and architecture. Filipinos were allowed to
practice as Architects and Engineers due to their experience as Maestro de Obras in the Spanish Period.

1928 - The Philippine Society of Civil Engineers (PSCE) was formed by a group of civil engineers from the
government sector. Engr. Marcial Kasilag became the first president of PSCE. Engr. Kasilag received PRC
Registration Number 1 for Civil Engineers.

1931 - The Department of Commerce and Communications was renamed to the Department of Public
Works and Communications (DPWC).

1935 - Act Number 4211 was enacted on August 2, 1935. The act permitted under-aged persons to take
the board exam on the condition that they will not practice their profession until they reach the
required age of 21.

1937 - The Philippine Association of Civil Engineers (PACE) was formed by private sector civil engineers.
Engr. Enrique Sto. Tomas Cortes was the first president of PACE.

1938 - In 1938, the National Assembly Bill No. 1850 separated the statutes for the practice of
architecture from engineering by law.
1940 - Highway 54 was the former name of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Metro Manila. It was
a 54-kilometer lifeline for many Filipinos passing through five cities. When the avenue was constructed
in 1940 by engineers led by Florencio Moreno and Osmundo Monsod it was originally named North and
South Circumferential Road but was changed to Highway 54 by American occupiers after World War II.

24 December 1941 to 01 August 1944 - The Department of Public Works and Communication became
the Department of National Defense, Public Works, Communications and Labor.

1942 - The Philippine Executive Commission was established during the Japanese occupation to alleviate
suffering of the people. Quintin Paredes served as Minister of Public Works and Communications under
President Jose P. Laurel's administration.

1950 - On June 17, 1950, the Philippine Institute of Architects and the Philippine Association of Civil
Engineers passed their respective laws in the Philippines. The Architects passed the first Architect's law
(RA 545) and lobbied for its passing. The Civil Engineers passed the Civil Engineering law (RA 544),
through the efforts of PACE President Alberto Guevarra.

1951 - In 1951, President Elpidio Quirino reconstituted the DPWC to include the Bureaus of Public
Works, Posts, Telecommunications, Motor Vehicles Office, Irrigation Council, Flood Control Commission,
Radio Control Board, National Transportation Board, and Government Quarters Committee under the
Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (DPWTC).

1953 - In 1953, the Philippine Highway Act (Republic Act No. 917) was passed to modify apportionment
of highway funds and provide aid to provinces and cities for the improvement and maintenance of roads
and bridges.

1954 - In 1954, the Bureau of Public Highways was created under the DPWTC by virtue of Republic Act
No. 1192 to provide effective management of the Philippine Highways under a Commissioner.

1956 - In 1956, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) was transferred to the Department of Public
Works, Transportation & Communications from the Department of Commerce & Industry after the
abolition of the National Airport Corporation in 1951.

1960 - The Philippines has been a top producer of architects and engineers in the world since the 1960s.

1961 - The Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) was founded on September 30,
1961.

1973 - President Marcos issues Presidential Decree 223, creating the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) to regulate all professions and accredit only one organization to represent each
profession.

1974 - In February 1974, the first election of officers of PICE was held and Engr. Cesar Caliwara became
its first president.

1975 - The first international convention with the theme "Civil Engineering in Disaster Prevention
Control" was held in the Philippines on May 20-24, 1975. The convention was organized by the
Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE).
1976 - In the 1970s, there was a shift in the form of government from departments to ministries. The
Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (DPWTC) became the Ministry of
Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MPWTC).

1978 - Presidential Decree Number 1594 was issued on June 11, 1978, to establish policies, guidelines,
rules, and regulations for government infrastructure contracts.

1987 - Executive Order No. 124, dated January 30, 1987, renamed the Ministry of Public Works and
Highways (MPWH) to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). DPWH has five (5)
bureaus, six (6) services, 16 regional offices, 24 project management offices, 16 regional equipment
services, and 118 district engineering offices. DPWH is responsible for the planning, design, construction,
and maintenance of various public infrastructures, including roads and bridges, flood control systems,
water resource development projects, and other public works.

1991 - Malacañang declared a "Civil Engineering Week" for November 3 to 9, 1991, through
Proclamation No. 799 issued by President Corazon C. Aquino on September 20, 1991.

1993 - The Board of Civil Engineering, which operates under the Philippine Regulatory Commission
(PRC), conducted its first-ever fully computerized board examinations on May 29, 1993.

1995 - The Syllabi for the subjects included in the Civil Engineering licensure examinations were
announced on February 28, 1995. It is referred to the official outlines or summaries of the topics that
candidates are required to study in order to pass the Civil Engineering licensure examinations.

2005 - In 2005, the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) and Engr. Leo Cleto Gamolo filed a
petition for declaratory relief to declare null and void Sections 302.3 and 302.4 of the Revised
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Presidential Decree No. 1096 (the National Building Code).

2006 - Since the November 2006 Civil Engineering (CE) Board Exam, the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) has stopped releasing the list of top 11 to 20 Board Exam performers. Executive Order
No. 566 was issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on September 8, 2006.

2012 - In March 2012, the Board of Civil Engineering sent a letter to the Philippine Institute of Civil
Engineers (PICE) stating that the number of board exam questions per subject will be increased from
30/35 to 100 problems.

2013 - Republic Act 10609, also known as the Protection of Students' Right to Enroll in Review Centers
Act of 2013, was signed into law on August 23, 2013. The law aims to protect students from fraudulent
and substandard review centers by establishing standards for their operation and ensuring that they
comply with government regulations.

MARCIAL KASILAG - - Born on October 13, 1881 in Rosario, Batangas - was a 1904 pensionado to the US
and a prominent pioneer civil engineer. He was the first registered civil engineer of the Philippines and
the father of National Artist for Music, Lucrecia Kasilag. - holds the No.1 slot in the PRC Registry of Civil
Engineers. - He then occupied a high-ranking position in the government. He was the commissioner for
Mindanao and Sulu.