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Fundamental Principles

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

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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 authority in furnishing such further information 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.

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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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their
studies, they believe a project will not be successful.
f) 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) Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular
work or interest without the knowledge of their employers.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Reputation - overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general

Merit - the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to


deserve praise or reward

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Solicit - ask for or try to obtain something from someone

Gratuity - a gift of money, over and above payment due for service

Unlawful - not conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules

Political - relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group

Competence - the ability to do something successfully or efficiently

Commission - a form of payment to an agent for services rendered

Contingent - dependent on

Compromised - accept standards that are lower than is desirable

Falsify - alter (information or evidence) so as to mislead

Propriety - the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards


of behavior or morals

Misleading - giving the wrong idea or impression

Derogatory - showing a critical or disrespectful attitude

Dignity - the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect

Prospects - the possibility that something will happen in the future

Criticize - to express disapproval of something or someone

Indiscriminately - affecting or harming many people or things in a careless or unfair


way

Consent- to agree to do or allow something

Maliciously- having or showing a desire to cause harm to another person

CANON 5. Civil engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of
their services and shall not compete unfairly with others

This conduct of ethic is not limited only to the profession of Civil Engineering but
it is a conduct that should be practiced by all professions. This conduct must be applied
from the day you are looking to start your career until the end of your career life.
Civil Engineering belongs to the service industry hence a professional must build
his reputation based on how well he has delivered his services to his clientele, no more,
no less. And since there are already a multitude of practicing Civil Engineers in the
industry, competition becomes a natural occurrence on different fronts like applying for
work, getting a project, getting a promotion, etc. But no matter how fierce the
competition a professional must always remain fair in competing with others.

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With regards to fair competition in the Civil Engineering profession, the flowing
guidelines are enumerated:
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 engineers extent of participation in
project described.
4. A statement of engineers 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.

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Such permission shall not include public endorsement of
proprietary products.
a) Civil Engineers shall not maliciously of falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the
professional reputation, prospects, practice or employment of another engineer
or indiscriminately criticize anothers work.
b) 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. Shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and
dignity in civil engineering profession.

a) 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. Shall continue their professional development throughout their carriers and
provide opportunities for professional development of those civil engineers.

a) 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) Should encourage their engineering employees to become registered at the


earliest possible date.

c) Should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at


professional and technical society meetings.

d) 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.

SECTION 1

THE PRACTICE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SECTION 1.1 GENERAL

Addresses the procurement of civil engineering services for a quality project.


Quality by definition is one satisfactorily meeting both the expectations of the client or
employer and the requirements of the project. It requires professional dedication, effort,
adequate time for investigation, planning and innovation, fair compensation, and

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appropriate authority and responsibility. It cannot be achieved only by effort at the
beginning or end of the project.

SECTION 1.2 PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

The standard of civil engineers is to be given responsibility for;

- studying

- designing

- conceiving

- observing construction

- assisting in the programming for operating and maintaining engineering works.

The health, safety, well-being and comfort of the public in using a facility, and the
ultimate facility cost, all depend to a considerable extent on how well members of the
project team fulfil their professional and contractual responsibilities. The civil engineer,
therefore, has obligations as trustee to the public interest as well as faithful to the
private interests of clients. Successfully fulfilling these responsibilities require candor,
mutual trust, and effective communication and understanding between the civil
engineer and the client. Only in this way can a professional relationship be established
and a successful project implemented.

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.

Care and protection of the environment is paramount in the civil engineering


works engagements.

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.

SECTION 1.3 CLIENT-CIVIL ENGINEER RELATIONSHIP

Regardless of their specific field of engineering, projects involve collaboration among


multiple individuals, in many cases from different organizations, and the end result is
strongly influenced by how effectively project staff members can collaborate with each
other

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Many Engineering works are conceived, designed and constructed through the efforts of
Civil Engineers employed in governmental agencies or in industry. Other engineering
projects come to fruition through the efforts of Civil Engineering firms engaged for a
specific project or program by public agencies or private clients.

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 necessary skills and professional judgement, when required to certify,
decide or exercise discretion between the clients and a Third Party with whom
the client has a contract.
4. The Civil Engineer is authorized to act as the Clients 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 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.

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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 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 Engineers Services, the client shall notify in writing within 7 days the Civil
Engineer containing as far as practicable, the particulars of the change.

1.3.3 LIABILITY OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND THE CLIENT

1. 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 civil engineer.

2. The client shall only be liable to pay damages to the civil engineer if a breach of
the clients duty to the civil engineer is established against the client.

3. Resolution of any conflicts arising from the agreement between the civil engineer
and the client shall be done by giving preference to the process of arbitration.

4. Establishment of the breach of duty on the part of the civil engineer and that of
the clients duty to the civil engineer shall be undertaken by a third party
arbitrator mutually acceptable to the client and the civil engineer.

1.3.3.a LIMITATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS RESPONSIBILITY

1. The civil engineer shall have no responsibility or liability for cost, 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

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or supplier to the client or any employee or agent of the client, other
consultants, contractors or suppliers.

2. Not with standing 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.

1.3.3.b DAMAGES

If found that the civil engineer undertaking services is liable to the client,
damages shall be payable on the following terms:

1. Damages payable shall be limited to the amount of reasonably foreseeable


loss and damage suffered as a direct 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 300,000 or 10% of the total amount of damages of the portion of
the work attributable to the civil engineers 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 partys breach of duty, whether the claim are made under
contract or otherwise.

1.3.4 SUSPENTION AND TERMINATION OF SERVICES

If a circumstances arises by which the plans are impractical or impossible to


perform by the engineer in accordance to agreement of the civil engineer and the client
and leads to further revision. Both parties shall be notified.

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If by reason of the abovementioned circumstances services have been
suspended, the time for their completion shall be extended by the extent of the delay
plus a reasonable period for their resumption.

The client may suspend all or part of the services or terminate the agreement by
written notice not less than 30 days to the civil engineer who shall immediately make
the arrangements to stop the services and minimize further expenditure.

The civil engineer by written notice not less than 30 days may terminate the
agreement or suspend the whole or part of the services under the following conditions:

a) when 30 days after the due date, the civil engineer has not receive any payment
on any account which has not by that time contested in writing; or
b) when the services has been suspended for the period exceeding 6 calendar
months, or if it is clear to the civil engineer the it will be impractical or
impossible to resume the services before the period of suspension.

When the services are suspended or terminated the civil engineer shall be
entitled to the payment for the services carried out including consequential costs,
expenses, and disruption fees incurred as the result of suspension or termination and
remobilization fees on resumption.

1.3.5 SETTLEMENTS OF DISPUTES

If the dispute arises on either party then that party shall notify the other by
means of writing with the details of the dispute and request that the dispute be resolve
by conciliation. If the matter that the dispute is not resolve by conciliation between the
parties with in the prescribe time then the matter of dispute shall be refer to arbitration.

1.3.6 OWNERSHIP OF DATA, DESIGNS AND DOCUMENTS

The design analysis, drawings, specifications, and reproduction thereof are


instruments owned by the professional civil engineer and shall be used only for the
specific project covered by the agreement between the client and engineer.

1.4 CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES

Civil Engineers and civil engineering firms, whether they serve public or private
employees (client) can provide a variety of important services. Typical services may
include:

Design, consultation and advice


Feasibility studies

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Field investigation and engineering data collection
Environmental assessment, impact statements of 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 operating manuals
Appraisals and rate studies
Value engineering
Expert testimony
Assessment of risks
Structural remediation or rehabilitation
Project management and controls
Provision of supplement temporary staff
Teaching
Civil Engineers may also serve as construction managers or program managers and may
employ other sub consultants and subcontractors as part of their services.

Professional Civil Engineering firms draw upon the combined talents of various
disciplines such as economists, planners, engineers and designers, estimators, architects,
scientists. Representatives, surveyors and others.

The Civil engineer provides services which may result in the clients committing financial
resources for construction of a proposed project.

Project implementation has become increasingly complex, involving financial,


environmental, regulatory, technical and managerial matters. As a result, clients have
opted to pursue a number of implementation approaches, one such approach is
commonly called program management.

The program manager is generally a Civil engineer.

1.5 SPECIALIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING


The practice of civil engineering, the PICE (Philippine Institute of Civil
Engineering) recognizes the initial five areas of specialization:

Knowledge just like facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through
education or practical understanding of a subject.
Experience - practical contact with and observation of facts or events

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Education and Training- contain occupations in the same field of work that
requires similar skills and plans towards obtaining the necessary knowledge,
competencies, and training for success in a particular career pathway.

The PICE (Philippine Institute of Civil Engineering) recognizes specializations in


the following fields:

Structural Engineering- creates drawings and specifications, perform


calculations, review the work of other engineers, write reports and evaluations,
and observe construction sites.
Geotechnical Engineering- is the study of the behaviour of soils under the
influence of loading forces and soil-water interactions
Water Engineering- is someone who deals with the provision of clean water,
disposal of waste water and sewage, and the prevention of flood damage. Their job
involves repairing, maintaining and building structures that
control water resources
Transportation Engineer- is the application of technology and scientific
principles to the planning, functional design, operation and management of
facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide for the safe, efficient,
rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible
movement of people and goods
Construction Management- is a professional service that uses specialized,
project management techniques to oversee the planning, design, and construction
of a project, from its beginning to its end.

1.6 SELECTION OF A CIVIL ENGINEER


The engagement of civil engineer is one of the most important decisions to be made during the
development of an engineering project.
The accomplishment of the clients objectives and commitment of financial
resources, soundness of design, and suitability of the proposed for its intended function
rest upon the experience, organization, skill, integrity, and judgment of the civil engineer.
The civil engineers recommendations based on these factors, affect lifecycle costs and
thereby influence the economic feasibility of the undertaking.
Qualifications, experience, reputation, and quality of client service are of critical
importance in the selection of a civil engineer as a consultant. The civil engineer
competence in specialty fields, performance on other project of similar nature,
interrelationship with design team members, personnel insurance and other annual
charges and the resulting life cycle cost of the project.

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1.7 PRIME PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

The guidelines of this manual refer specifically to the engagement of engineering


services where the consulting Civil Engineers serve as the client directly as a prime
professional, and where the client is usually also the owner of the project.

Some information also is applicable when the Civil Engineer serves the client
indirectly as a sub-consultant through another engineer or architect who serves as the
prime professional. These services may also be performed through another entity on a
design-build construction management, or turnkey project.

1.8 EMPLOYMENT

The guidelines in this manual also 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

A process through which a Civil Engineer is a selected above other competitors


based on proposal or an innovative approach to solving a clients needs. Competing
firms are normally shortlisted from a number or engineers responding to a
client,solicitation either directly, by a letter request or indirectly through a newspaper
or other form or publication. The civil engineer should be awarded a stipend to
participate in the competition.

1.10 CONTINGENCY BASIS OF EMPLOYMENT

Canon 5c or the 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.
Although contingent commissions are permissible, it is the general view of PICE that it is
not in the best interest of the client or the public for the Civil Engineer to provide
professional services on a contingency basis.

1.11 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF FOREIGN CIVIL ENGINEERS

Foreign Civil Engineers are allowed by law to practice civil engineering in the
Philippines under the following instances.

1. The laws of the foreigners state or county allow the citizens of the
Philippines to practice civil engineering on the same basis and grant the same
privileges as those enjoyed by the subjects or citizens if such foreign state or
country.

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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 Philippine 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.

The application of the law is however not automatic. Foreign civil engineers must still
secure a certificate of registration/license or special permit from the Professional
Regulation Commission. Agencies, organizations or individuals, whether public or
private, who secure the services of a foreign Civil Engineer, are made responsible by law
(R.A. 8981) for securing a special permit from the PRC and the Department of Labor and
Employment pursuant to their respective rules

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