OUTLINE: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by PICE
SECTION 1 The Practice of Civil Engineer
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
The standard of practice is for Civil Engineers to be given responsibility for studying, conceiving,
designing, observing construction, and assisting the programming for operating and maintaining
engineering works. The Civil Engineer has obligations as trustees to the public interest and faithful to
the client’s interests.
Civil Engineers shall conduct themselves in a highly professional manner and therefore bound by the
Fundamental Canons of ethics. Protection and care of the environment is always considered in
engaging to civil engineering works.
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 care and diligence int the performance of his obligations.
3. The Civil Engineer shall act independently in his professional judgement and decisions.
4. The Civil Engineer is the Client’s faithful agent implied int the contract adopted for the project.
5. Civil Engineer shall inform client through written notice when there is a change of scope of
services.
6. Civil Engineer shall not initiate stages of the services without the approval of the Client.
7. Civil Engineer shall co-operate with all other professionals and integrate their work 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 project.
9. The Civil Engineer shall inform the Client of any conflicts of interest.
OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT
1. The Client shall pay the Civil Engineer for his Services.
2. The Client shall provide the Civil Engineer within reasonable time, 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 not interfere with proper performance of the Services of the Civil Engineer.
4. The Client shall make arrangement with the Civil Engineer to enter and inspect the progress
of the project.
5. The Client shall agree upon provisions of services from other professionals as may be
required and bear all costs.
6. All instructions by the Client shall be given through the Civil Engineer when required to
administer the work of other professionals.
7. The Client shall notify the Civil Engineer within 7 days if there will be change of scope of the
service.
LIABILITY OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND THE CLIENT
The Civil Engineer shall only be liable to pay damages to the Client arising from their agreement or not if
there is a violation made by the Civil Engineer and vice versa to the Client.
The conflict can be resolved by consulting someone who will act like a referee to settle the
disagreement of both parties.
Limitation or Civil Engineer Responsibility
1. The Civil Engineer is not responsible or liable for any cost, loss or damage of anything done
by other source of services.
2. The Civil Engineer shall not give warranty or promise of anything to his recommendations.
3. The Civil Engineer is not responsible for the performance or failure of any third party responsible
for executing certain part of the project.
Damages
1. If the Civil Engineer may have failure resulting to damages, then the Client may ask for
payment of the damage with limited reasonable amount.
2. If no such amount or provision is specified, to the lesser of Php 300, 000 or 10% of the total
amount of damage is the maximum amount payable.
3. If third party is involved in the damages, the proportion of damages should be limited only.
SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF SERVICES
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 if he is found to be not responsible and impractical in doing
his work.
The Civil Engineer by written notice of no less than 30 days may also terminate the agreement under the
following conditions:
1. If the Civil Engineer did not receive payment after 30 days from the submission of the letter
2. If it is clear to the Civil Engineer that it will be impossible to resume the suspended services
before the period of suspension has exceeded six months.
When the Services are suspended the Civil Engineer shall receive payment of the services rendered.
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.
CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Design, consultations and advice
Feasibility studies
Field investigations and engineering data collection
Environmental assessments, impact statements or Engineering reports
Opinions of probable construction cost
Preliminary and final designs, drawings, specifications and construction bidding documents
Assistance in securing construction bids and in awarding contracts
Construction administration and observation
Arrangements for or performance of testing of materials and equipment
Assistance in start-up, assessment of capacity, and operation of facilities
Preparation of operation and maintenance manuals
Appraisals and rate studies
Value engineering
Expert testimony
Assessment of risks
Structural remediation or rehabilitation
Project management and controls
Provision of supplemental temporary staff
Teaching
Civil Engineers may also serve as construction managers or program managers and may employ other
subconsultants and subcontractors as part of their services.
SPECIALIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
The PICE recognizes specializations in the fields of structural engineering, geotechnical engineering,
water engineering, transportation engineering, and construction management and engineering. A Civil
Engineer who has demonstrated his knowledge, experience, education and training in accordance
with the requirements of the concerned Specialty Committee of the PICE is awarded a certificate of
specialization by PICE.
SELECTION OF A CIVIL ENGINEER
Qualification, experience, reputation, and quality of client service are of critical importance in the
selection of Civil Engineer as a consultant. Selection based primarily on 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.
DESIGN COMPETITION
Design competition is a process through which a Civil Engineer is selected above other competitors
based on proposal or an innovative approach to solving a client’s need.
CONTINGENCY BASIS OF EMPLOYMENT
Contingent commissions are permissible only if their professional judgements would not be
compromised and it is not in the best interest of the client or the public for the Civil Engineer to provide
professional service on a contingency basis.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF FOREIGN CIVIL ENGINEERS
Foreign Civil Engineers are allowed by law (RA 8981) to practice in the Philippines under the
following instances.
1. The laws of the foreigner’s state or country also allow Filipinos to practice civil engineering
in their country
2. Allowed under international agreement
3. Consultants to be engaged in foreign-funded, joint venture.
4. Employees of Philippine or foreign private institutions pursuant to law,
5. Former Filipino Citizens who had been registered and issued a certificate of registration and
a professional identification card.
Foreign civil engineers must still secure certificate of registration/license or permit from
Professional Regulation Commission.
SECTION 2 Classification of Engineering Services
Services provided by Civil Engineers can be grouped into five broad categories:
1. Consultations, research, investigations, 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:
1. Streets, bridges, highways and railroads
2. Airports and hangars
3. Portworks, canals, river and shore improvements, light houses and dry docks
4. Buildings
5. Fixed structures for irrigation, flood protection, drainage, water supply and sewerage works
6. Tunnels
