Code of Ethics
The fundamental principles and canons governing the professional conduct of Civil Engineers in the Philippines.
Importance of the Code
Civil Engineering is a profession that has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by civil engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.
PICE Code of Ethics
The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) sets forth the standards of professional conduct for its members.
The Code of Ethics provides the ethical framework for the practice of Civil Engineering. It consists of Fundamental Principles, which are broad statements of ethical goals, and Fundamental Canons, which are specific rules of conduct.
Fundamental Principles
Civil engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the civil engineering profession by adhering to core principles.
Procedure
- Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment;
- Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers, and clients;
- Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the civil engineering profession; and
- Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.
Fundamental Canons
The following are the 7 Fundamental Canons of the PICE Code of Ethics that detail the mandatory conduct of engineers.
The 7 Canons
Checklist
- 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.
- Canon 2: Civil Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
- Canon 3: Civil Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
- 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.
- Canon 5: Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
- Canon 6: Civil Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the civil engineering profession.
- Canon 7: Civil Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those civil engineers under their supervision.
Guidelines to Practice
The Code of Ethics provides specific guidelines for professional interactions across different domains.
Relations with the Public
Public Relations Guidelines
Checklist
- Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony.
- Engineers shall not express a professional opinion publicly unless it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts and a competent evaluation of the subject matter.
- Engineers shall not issue statements on technical matters which are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the statements are made.
Relations with Clients and Employers
Client and Employer Guidelines
Checklist
- Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest to their employers or clients.
- Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, 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.
- Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other valuable considerations, directly or indirectly, from outside agents in connection with the work for which they are responsible.
Relations with Other Engineers
Professional Peer Guidelines
Checklist
- Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of another engineer, nor indiscriminately criticize another's work.
- Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory, or office facilities of an employer to carry on outside private practice without consent.
- Engineers shall not attempt to supplant another engineer in a particular employment after becoming aware that definite steps have been taken toward the other's employment.
Compensation and Professional Fees
According to the PICE Manual of Professional Practice, there are several standard methods for computing the compensation of Civil Engineers for their services.
Standard Compensation Methods
Checklist
- Salary cost times multiplier plus direct non-salary expense: Best for projects where the scope of work is difficult to determine in advance. The multiplier accounts for overhead and profit.
- Hourly, per diem, or piece work: Suitable for short-term engagements, consultations, or expert witness testimony.
- Lump sum or fixed fee: Often used when the scope of services is well-defined and clearly understood.
- Percentage of construction cost: Traditionally used for full design services, where the fee is a percentage of the final estimated or actual construction cost.
- Cost plus fixed fee: The client reimburses the engineer for actual costs and pays a predetermined fixed fee for profit.
Key Takeaways
- Human Welfare & Environment: Engineers must prioritize public good and ecological sustainability.
- Integrity: Honesty, impartiality, and fidelity are core to professional interactions.
- Public Safety (Canon 1) is the highest priority of a Civil Engineer.
- Engineers must only practice within their Competence (Canon 2).
- Conflicts of Interest must be avoided or fully disclosed (Canon 4).
- Public statements must be objective and based on adequate knowledge.
- Engineers must not accept compensation from multiple parties on the same project without full disclosure.
- Unfair competition, including malicious criticism or attempting to supplant peers, is strictly prohibited.
- Compensation methods range from Salary cost times multiplier to Percentage of construction cost, depending on the project's predictability.
- The PICE Manual of Professional Practice outlines these methods to ensure fair compensation and maintain professional standards.