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Practice of Civil Engineering

Republic Act No. 544, Otherwise known as the civil engineering law, as amended

(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 the 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 of civil engineering in the manner as hereinafter provided.

(c) Accredited professional organization of civil engineers (APOCE) shall mean the
Philippine institute of civil engineers (PICE) which is the official national organization of
all registered civil engineers in the Philippines as accredited by the “Professional
Regulation commission.”

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1.2 Professional Responsibility

The standard of practice is for Civil Engineer to be given responsibility for

studying, conceiving, designing, observing construction, and assisting in the
programming for operating and maintaining engineering works.

Other services that are unforeseen initially may be required of the Civil
Engineering during the evolution of a project.

The health, safety, well being and comfort of the public in using a facility, and
the ultimate 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.

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1.3 Client–Civil Engineer Relationship

Definition and explanation of proper relationship between Civil Engineers and

their public and private clients are important objectives of this manual. These
are discussed in the next slides.

1.3.1 Obligation of the Civil Engineer

The obligation of the civil engineer include:

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1.3.3 Obligation of the Client

The client has the following obligations:

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1.3.3 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 Engineer if 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.

1.3.3a Limitation or Civil Engineer’s Responsibility

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1.3.3b Damages

If found that the Civil Engineer undertaking Services is liable to the Client,
damages shall be payable on the following terms:

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1.3.4 Suspension or Termination of Services

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1.3.5 Settlement of Disputes

1.3.6 Ownership of Data, Designs and Document

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1.4 Civil Engineering Services

Civil Engineer and civil engineering firms , whether they serve public or private
employers (client) can provide a variety of important services which are
described in Section 2. Typical services may include:

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1.5 Specialization of Civil Engineering

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1.5 Selection of Civil Engineer

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