3.0.

THE PRACTICE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING 

 
Quality is defined in the manual as a condition of satisfactorily meet both the 
project requirement and the expectations of the client or employer. It requires 
much effort which is considered: 
 
● conscious 
● continuous 
● consistent 
 
 
3.1. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY 
 
As a faithful trustee to the public interest and private interest of clients, civil 
engineers have the following responsibilities: 
 
1. Civil engineers shall conduct themselves in a highly professional manner and 
faithfully serve their clients and employers. 
 
2. Civil engineers are bound by the Canon Laws. 
 
3. Sustainable development is the top priority in professional engagement. 
 
4. The highest standard of Ethical Professional Practice should be maintained 
when civil engineers are dealing with employers or clients. 
 
 
 
3.2. CLIENT-CIVIL ENGINEERING RELATIONSHIPS 
 
Many engineering works are formed between civil engineers and the following: 
 
● Government agencies 
● Industry 
● Private clients 
● Civil engineering firms engaged for a specific project 
● Public agencies 
● Independent civil engineering firms 
 
 
3.3 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER 
 
As a faithful trustee, civil engineers are obliged to do the following: 
 
1. Perform their obligations with diligence, care, and reasonable skill. 
 
2. Shall act independently and accordingly to the contract, when required to 
certify or decide between a client and a third party. 
 
3. Act as the client's faithful agent implied in the contract. 
 
4. Give written notice on particulars of any change in the scope of services. 
 
5. For staged services, civil engineers shall not initiate ay service without the 
approval of the client. 
 
6. When required, civil engineers shall direct or work with other professions and 
integrate concerned work, but shall not be professionally liable for their work. 
 
7. The civil engineer may recommend contractors or specialists to design and 
execute certain parts of the works. 
 
8. Any interest which may have conflict of interest of the client should be notified 
by the civil engineer. 
 
 
 
3.4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT 
 
The following obligations are of the client to the civil engineer: 
 
1. The client shall pay the civil engineer for his services as stipulated in the 
contract. 
 
2. Information required by the civil engineer shall be provided by the client in 
writing and the latter shall allow the civil engineer reasonable time. 
 
3. The client shall cooperate and not interfere or obstruct in the performance of 
services. 
 
4. The client shall make arrangements to allow the civil engineer to d site 
investigation and inspection of facilities ASAP. 
 
5. The client shall shoulder the arrangement of services of other professionals and 
bear all costs. 
 
6. In cases of clients allowing civil engineers as Engineer-to-the-Contract, the 
client shall give instructions through the civil engineers. 
 
7. Client shall notify the civil engineer through writing within 7 days of any change 
he is aware of. 
 
 
 
3.5. LIABILITY OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND THE CLIENT 
 
1. The civil engineer shall pay for damages arising out of breach of duty of care 
against the civil engineer to the client. 
 
2. The client shall be liable to pay to the civil engineer if a break of client's duty is 
established against the client. 
 
3. Conflicts arising from the agreement between the client and the civil engineer 
follows the following process: 
 
● Amicable settlement. Mutual understanding 
● Mediation. Negotiation overseen by a third-party called the mediator. 
● Arbitration. negotiation where the third-party(considered as impartial) is in 
control in making the final decision. 
● Litigation (court proceeding). Negotiation where courts and civil justice 
system are involved. 
4. A third-party arbitrator should be mutually acceptable to both parties. 
 
 
3.5.1. LIMITATION OR CIVIL ENGINEER'S RESPONSIBILITY 
 
1. The civil engineer shall not be liable for damages, loss, and costs:  
for any errors or omissions for documents not prepared by him or under his 
control,  
for fraudulent services or negligence by the client or any other consultant , 
contractor, supplier. 
2. The civil engineer shall not be liable for the performance of other consultants, 
contractors, suppliers (regardless of recommendation). 
 
3. The civil engineer shall not be responsible for the procedures of techniques 
adopted by any third party. 
 
 
 
3.5.2. DAMAGES 
 
If the civil engineer is found liable, the damages shall be paid on the following 
terms: 
 
1. Damages for the foreseeable loss and damage as a result of the breach. 
 
2. The maximum amount is specified in the Specific Provision. However, if no 
specific amount is given: the lesser of 300,000Php or 10% of the total amount 
damages or 25% of the total fees payable under the agreement. 
 
3. If a third-party is found liable in some parts of the service, the amount payable 
shall be limited to the proportion of work under breach. 
 
 
 
3.6. SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF SERVICES 
 
 
1. In cases when the civil engineer is not liable but it is impossible to continue the 
project, the civil engineer shall notify the client promptly. 
 
2. If only portions of the work are suspended, time shall be extended 
 
 
time_{extension}=time_{delay}+time_{resumption}  
 
For cases with reduction of performance speed, extension depends on the 
circumstances 
 
3. A 30-day (minimum)notice shall be given by the client to the civil engineer in 
cases when client suspends or terminates work. Upon notification, civil engineer 
should make necessary arrangements to stop operation. 
 
4. A 30-day (minimum)notice shall be given by the civil engineer for suspension or 
termination of services under the following conditions: 
 
● No payment (or part of it) of the client 30 days after due date 
● When the client suspends work for more than six months, or if it is clear to 
the civil engineer that it is impractical to continue services before the 
suspension exceeds six months. 
 
When services are suspended or terminated, the civil engineer is entitled to the 
payment of the following: 
● Consequential cost 
● Expenses and disruption fees 
● Remobilization fees on resumption 
 
3.7. OWNERSHIP OF DATA, DESIGNS AND DOCUMENTS 
 
The civil engineer owns the following documents, which shall be used for specific 
projects covered in the contract between the client and the engineer: 
● Design analyses 
 ● Drawings 
● Specifications 
● Reproductions 
 
 
3.8. CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES 
 
Typical services offered by civil engineers: 
 
● Designs, consultations and advice 
● Feasibility studies 
● Field investigations and engineering data collection 
● Environmental assessments, impact statements, or engineering reports 
● Opinions of estimates 
● Preliminary and final designs, drawings, specifications, and construction 
bidding documents 
● Assistance in securing construction bids and in awarding contracts 
● Construction administration and observation 
● Arrangments 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