FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES authority in furnishing such further information
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 interests.
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 their professional
development of those civil engineers under their
supervision.
GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE UNDER THE
FUNDAMENTAL CANONS OF ETHICS
CANON 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 professional
duties.
a) Civil 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
b) Civil 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.
c) Civil 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.
d) Civil 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
or assistance as may be required.
e) Civil 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.
f) Civil 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. Civil Engineers shall perform services
only in areas of their competence.
a) Civil Engineers shall undertake to perform
engineering assignments only when qualified
by education or experience in the technical
field of engineering involved
b) Civil Engineers may accept an assignment
requiring education or experience outside of
their own fields 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.
c) Civil Engineers shall not affix their signatures
or seals to any civil 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
supervision or control.
d) Civil Engineers shall not use the Specialty
Engineering Title such as Structural Engineer,
Transportation Engineer, Water Engineer,
Geotechnical Engineer, Construction
Engineer, etc. without the PICE Specialist
Accreditation.
CANON 3. Civil Engineers shall issue public
statement only in an objective and truthful manner.
a) Civil Engineers should endeavor to extend the
public knowledge of civil engineering and
sustainable development, and shall not
participate in the dissemination of untrue,
unfair or exaggerated statements regarding
civil engineering.
b) Civil 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
c) Civil Engineers, when serving as expert
witnesses, shall express civil engineering
opinion only when it is founded upon adequate
knowledge of the facts, upon a background of
technical competence, and upon honest
conviction
d) Civil 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.
 e) Civil 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. Civil Engineers shall act in professional
matters for each employer or client as faithful agents
or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
a) Civil 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.
b) Civil 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.
c) Civil 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.
d) Civil 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.
e) Civil Engineers shall advise their employers or
clients when, as a result of their studies, they
believe a project will not be successful.
f) Civil 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.
g) Civil Engineers shall not accept professional
employment outside of their regular work or
interest without the knowledge of their employers.
CANON 5. Civil engineers shall build their
professional reputation on the merit of their services
and shall not compete unfairly with others
a) Civil 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.
b) Civil Engineers should negotiate contracts for
professional services fairly and on the basis of
demonstrated competence and qualifications for
the type of professional service required.
c) Civil Engineers may request; propose or accept
professional commissions on a contingent basis
only under circumstances in which their
professional judgments would not be compromised.
d) Civil Engineers shall not falsify or permit
misinterpretation of their academic or professional
qualifications or experience.
e) Civil Engineers shall give proper credit for
engineering work to those to whom credit is due,
and shall recognize the propriety interests of others.
Whenever possible, they shall name the person
or persons who may be responsible for designs,
inventions, writings, or other accomplishments.
f) Civil Engineers may advertise professional
services in a way that does not contain
misleading language or is in any other many
derogatory to the dignity of the profession.
1. Professional cards in recognized, dignified
publication, and listing in rosters or
directories published by responsible
organization, provided that the cards are
consistent in size and content and are in a
section of publication regularly devoted to
such professional card.
2. Brochures which factually describe
experience, facilities, personnel and
capacity to render service, providing they
are not misleading with the respect to the
engineers’ participation in project described.
3. 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 project described.
4. A statement of engineer’s name or the name
of the firm and statement of the type of
service posted on projects for which they
render service.
5. 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.
6. Permission by engineers for their names to
be used in commercial advertisements,
such as may published by contractors,
materials 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.
g) Civil Engineers shall not maliciously of falsely,
directly or indirectly, injure the professional
reputation, prospects, practice or employment
of another engineer or indiscriminately criticize
another’s work.
h) Civil Engineers shall not use equipment,
supplies, and laboratory or office facilities of
their employers to carry on outside practice
without the consent of their employers.
CANON 6. Civil Engineers Shall act in such a
manner as to uphold and enhance the honor,
integrity, and dignity in civil engineering
profession.
a) Civil Engineers shall not knowingly act in a
manner w/c will be derogatory to the honor,
integrity, or dignity of civil engineering
profession or knowingly engage in business or
professional practices of a fraudulent,
dishonest or unethical nature.
CANON 7. Civil Engineers Shall continue their
professional development throughout their carriers
and provide opportunities for professional
development of those civil engineers.
a) Civil Engineers should keep current in their
specialty fields by engaging in;
• Professional practice
• participating in continuing education
courses
• reading technical literature
• attending professional meetings and
seminars
b) Civil Engineers should encourage their
engineering employees to become registered at
the earliest possible date.
c) Civil Engineers should encourage engineering
employees to attend and present papers at
professional and technical society meetings.
d) Civil Engineers shall uphold the principle of
mutually satisfying relationships between
employers and employees w/ respect to terms of
employment including professional grade
descriptions, salary ranges, and fringe benefits.
THE PRACTICE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
1.1 GENERAL
• This manual addresses the procurement of civil
engineering services for a quality project.
QUALITY
• is one satisfactorily meeting both the expectations
of the client or employer and the requirements of
the project.
• results from team effort and is measured by the
degree of satisfaction of all parties involved.
1.2 PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Standard of practice is for Civil Engineers to be given
responsibility for:
1. Studying
2. Conceiving
3. Designing
4. Observing Construction
5. Assisting in the programming for operating and
maintaining engineering work
• Civil Engineers shall conduct themselves in a
highly Professional Manner and Serve as Faithful
Trustees or agents of their client or employers.
• Civil Engineers are therefore bound by the
Fundamental Canons of Ethics contained in this
manual.
• Care and protection of the environment is
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.
1.3 CLIENT-CIVIL ENGINEER RELATIONSHIP
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
-LIMITATION OR CIVIL ENGINEER’S
RESPONSIBILITY
-DAMAGES
4. SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF SERVICES
5. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
6. OWNERSHIP OF DATA, DESIGNS AND
DOCUMENTS
1.3.1 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER
1. The Civil Engineer shall perform Scope of the
services as stated in section 2.
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.
1.3.2 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT
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
reasonable time (that does not result in 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 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.
1.3.3 LIABILITY OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND THE
CLIENT
• Civil Engineer shall only be liable to pay damages
1.3.4 SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF
to the client arising out of or in connection with
SERVICES
their Agreement if a breach of duty of care is
established against the Civil Engineer.
• Client shall only be liable to pay damages to
the Civil Engineer if a breach of the Client’s
duty to the Civil Engineer is established
against the Client.
a) Limitation or Civil Engineer’s Responsibility
1. 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.
2. Not withstanding 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 other third party.
3. The Civil Engineer shall not be responsible
for the techniques, method, programmes,
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.
b) Damage
1. Damages payable shall be limited to the
amount of reasonably foreseeable loss
and damage suffered as a result of such
breach.
2. 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 of
fees payable under their agreement.
3. 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
contract or otherwise.
• If circumstances arise for which the Civil
Engineer is not responsible and which make 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.
• 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 or 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.
1.3.5 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.
1.3.6 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.
1.4 CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Services included:
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 of 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
TALENTS OF 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
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
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
1.5 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
1.6 SELECTION OF A CIVIL ENGINEER
Engagement of a Civil Engineer
• one of the most important decisions to be made
during the development of an engineering project
Cost of the full range of engineering services
• not less than 1 to 2% of the life-cycle cost of most
construction projects
Continuity of service
• aids in developing a relationship between the Civil
Engineer and the client
Critical importance in selection of a Civil Engineer
as a consultant
1. qualifications
2. experience
3. reputation
4. quality of client service
Detailed scope of services greatly reduces the
potential for misunderstandings or confusion PICE
(Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers) supports
procedures such as those specified by CIAP
Documents 101 and 102, Executive Order 164,
and PD 1594
1.7 PRIME PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
• guidelines in this manual refer specifically to the
engagement of engineering services where:
 • Consulting Civil Engineers – serves as prime
professional
• Client – serves as owner of the project
1.8 EMPLOYMENT
• guidelines in this manual refer to Civil Engineers
employed by professional consulting firms, government
agencies, educational institutions, construction firms,
manufacturing and commercial entities and other
entities
1.9 DESIGN COMPETITION
• process through which a Civil Engineer is selected
above other competitors based on proposal or
innovative approach to solving a client’s needs
1.10 CONTINGENCY BASIS OF EMPLOYMENT
Canon 5c or PICE Code of 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.”
1.11 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 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.
2. Allowed under international agreement.
3. Consultants to be engaged in foreign-funded, joint
venture or foreign-assisted projects of the
government.
4. Employees of 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.