Fundamental Principles

Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the 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 and clients;
3. striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession; and
4. supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.
Fundamental Canons
1. 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.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and
shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete
unfairly with others.
6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the
engineering profession.
7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide
opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.

Guidelines to Practice Under the Fundamental Canons of Ethics

CANON 1.
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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 authority in furnishing such further information or
assistance as may be required.
5. 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.
6. 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.
Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
1. Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when qualified by education or
experience in the technical field of engineering involved.
2. Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of their own fields of
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.
3. Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any 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 supervisory control.

CANON 3.
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
1. Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable
development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated statements
regarding engineering.
2. 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.
3. Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only when it is
founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical competence, and upon
honest conviction.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees,
and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their studies, they believe a
project will not be successful.
6. 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.
7. Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular work or interest without
the knowledge of their employers.
CANON 5.
Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not
compete unfairly with others.
1. 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.
2. Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and on the basis of demonstrated
competence and qualifications for the type of professional service required.
3. Engineers may request, propose or accept professional commissions on a contingent basis only under
circumstances in which their professional judgments would not be compromised.
4. Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or professional qualifications
or experience.
5. Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and shall
recognize the proprietary interests of others. Whenever possible, they shall name the person or persons
who may be responsible for designs, inventions, writings or other accomplishments.
6. Engineers may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain misleading language or is
in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession.
7. Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the professional reputation,
prospects, practice or employment of another engineer or indiscriminately criticize another's work.
8. Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory or office facilities of their employers to carry
on outside private practice without the consent of their employers.
CANON 6.
Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of
the engineering profession.
1. Engineers shall not knowingly act in a manner which will be derogatory to the honor, integrity, or
dignity of the engineering profession or knowingly engage in business or professional practices of a
fraudulent, dishonest or unethical nature.
CANON 7.
Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide
opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.
1. Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional practice,
participating in continuing education courses, reading in the technical literature, and attending
professional meetings and seminars.
2. Engineers should encourage their engineering employees to become registered at the earliest possible
date.
3. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at professional and
technical society meetings.
4. Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between employers and
employees with respect to terms of employment including professional grade descriptions, salary
ranges, and fringe benefits.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Definition of sustainable development
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Sustainable development focuses on improving the quality of life for all of the Earth's citizens without
increasing the use of natural resources beyond the capacity of the environment to supply them
indefinitely. It requires an understanding that inaction has consequences and that we must find innovative
ways to change institutional structures and influence individual behavior. It is about taking action,
changing policy and practice at all levels, from the individual to the international.
Sustainable development is not a new idea. Many cultures over the course of human history have
recognized the need for harmony between the environment, society and economy. What is new is an
articulation of these ideas in the context of a global industrial and information society.

Enhancement of Human Welfare: Civil engineers must prioritize the safety, health, and welfare
of the public in all professional endeavors. This includes designing safe infrastructure and
responsibly using resources.

Honesty and Impartiality: Honesty in all professional communications is essential. Engineers

must provide truthful advice, acknowledge errors, and avoid deceptive practices.

Competence: Engineers are expected to practice only in areas where they possess the
necessary skills and knowledge, continually engaging in professional development to stay
current with advancements in the field.

Professional Accountability: Engineers should take responsibility for their actions and
decisions, striving to uphold the integrity of the profession.

Support for Professional Societies: Engineers should support the professional and technical
societies relevant to their disciplines.

As Registered Professional Engineers and Engineer Interns, it is

important to challenge ourselves to think critically about our designs
and their potential impacts. Every day, our designs are impacting
people’s lives, and it is with respect for all humanity that we should
strive for to better society.
Republic Act No. 544

An Act to Regulate the Practice of Civil Engineering in the

Philippines

- it is known as the Civil Engineering Law

- enacted on JULY 17, 1950

- amended by RA No. 1582 on JUNE 16, 1956

- regulates the practice of CE in the Philippines

- standard and requirements for CE to ensure public safety and

professional integrity

“ CIVIL ENGINEER “

- a person duly registered with the Board for Civil Engineers.

Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers

- composed of a chairman and two members

- appointed by the President of the PH

- responsible for administering the licensure examination, issuing

certificates of registration, and enforcing compliance with the law.

- member of the board; 3 years term, can remove for neglect of duty
or unethical conduct.

Qualification of Board Members:

a. citizen and resident of the PH.

b. at least 30 yrs. old and good moral character
c. graduate of CE , legally constituted school, institute, college or
university.
d. registered CE duly qualified to practice CE in the PH
e. practiced CE, with a certificate as such, not less than 10 yrs.
prior.
f. Not be a member of the faculty of any school, institute, collage
or university where CE course is taught
g. No former members of the faculty of any school, where CE is
taught can become a member of the board unless he had
stopped teaching for at least 3 consecutive yrs.

Composition of Board
Chairman:
- Engr. Praxedes P. Bernardo
Members:
- Engr. Romeo A. Estañero
- Pericles P. Dakay

Executive Officer of the Board

Commissioner:
- Atty. Erwin M. Enad

o Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission

(PRC)
o responsible for conducting the examinations
administered by the Board and may designate a
subordinate officer to act as the Secretary and custodian
of all records related to the Board’s activities