Code of Ethics for

Environmental Planners
Atty. RYAN T. PACABIS, En.P
29 April 2019, Puerto Princesa
Outline:
1. Importance of Code of Ethics for En.P’s
2. Legal Basis and Date of Effectivity
3. Application
4. Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
5. Case Problems/Scenarios
Importance of the Code
of Ethics for En.P’s
Importance:
• Every Professionals in the practice of their profession has to
follow certain sets of ethical rules for its main consideration
is “public service” rather than for profit or motivated by
profit;
• It serves as an EnP’s guide to avoid moral dilemma’s or
conflict’s; and
• It is designed to protect the public interest, promote the
profession, maintain standards of professionalism, and
ensure that laws, rules and legal order are obeyed.
In the absence of clear ethical standards:
• EnP’s should lean on his/her common sense aimed at
following the rules prescribed by the Code of Ethics.
• Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in
the performance of his duties, act with justice, give
everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith.
(Art. 19 of NCC)
• Every person who, contrary to law, willfully or
negligently causes damage to another, shall indemnify
the latter for the same. (Art. 20 of NCC)
• Any person who willfully causes loss or injury to another
in a manner that is contrary to morals, good customs, or
public policy shall compensate the latter for the
damage. (Art. 21 of the NCC)
Legal Basis:

• Pursuant to Section 9 (g) and (m) Article II of

R.A. 10587 “Environmental Planning Act of
2013” the Professional Regulatory Board of
Environmental Planning is hereby authorized to
adopt and promulgate the “Code of Ethics for
Environmental Planners in the Philippines”.
Legal Basis:
• March 5, 2015 – the PRB of Environmental
Planning issued Resolution No. 03, Series of
2015, adopted and promulgated the “Code of
Ethics for Environmental Planners of the
Philippines”.

• Effectivity: July 1, 2015

Applicability/Application:

• EnP’s (Private Practitioner)

- Code of Ethics for Environmental
Planners
• EnP’s ( Employed in the Government)
- Code applies
- R.A. 6713 “A Code of Conduct and
Ethical Standards for Public Officials
and Employees”.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP), Defined:

• - It is a set of ethical standards that shall govern

the PERSONAL and PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT of
Environmental Planners. (Sec. 1, Art. 1 of the CEEP)
 Outline:
Article I : Declaration of Principles
Article II: Responsibility to the Profession & to the
Professional Organization
Article III: Responsibility to Co-Professionals
Article IV: Responsibility to the Client
Article V: Responsibility to the Public & the Country
Article VI: Penal Provisions
Article VII: Effectivity
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article I: Declaration of Principles

Section 1 - This Code shall be known as the Code of

Ethics for Environmental Planners in the Philippines.

It is a set of ethical standards that shall govern the

PERSONAL and PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT of
Environmental Planners.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article I: Declaration of Principles

Section 2 - This Code shall also serve as an

instrument to promote and protect public interest
by ensuring that only competent and qualified
individuals are admitted to the practice of the
environmental planning profession.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article I: Declaration of Principles
Section 3 - Environmental Planners shall first and
foremost, commit themselves to the service of God,
country, and human kind. Further, their services and
endeavors shall advance the art and science of
environmental planning in accordance with the
constitutional mandate of protecting the rights of the
people to a balanced ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.
Question: An Environmental Planner’s should
first and foremost commit his/her services to:
I. God II. Human III. Country IV. Colleagues

a. I, II and III only. b. I, II, III and IV

c. I, III and IV only. d. I, III and II only.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article I: Declaration of Principles

Section 4 - They shall commit themselves to the

highest degree of professionalism, excellence,
competence, and integrity in the practice of their
profession.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article I: Declaration of Principles

Section 5 - They shall uphold and obey the

Constitution, all laws, rules and regulations, and
legal orders.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP):
Article II
Responsibility to the Profession and to the
Professional Organization of Environmental
Planners.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article II: Responsibility to the Profession
and to the Professional Organization of
Environmental Planners.
Sec. 6 Environmental Planners shall contribute to the
continuing development of the profession through
constant improvement, updating, and retooling in
current planning knowledge, theory practice and
skills. Environmental Planners shall devote time,
effort, talent and resources for the advancement of
the profession.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article II: Responsibility to the
Profession and to the Professional
Organization of Environmental Planners.

Sec. 7. They shall actively participate and get

involved in the activities and efforts of their
professional organization in promoting the concerns
and affairs of the profession, and in enhancing the
relevance of the profession to national and local
problems relating to environmental planning.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article II: Responsibility to the
Profession and to the Professional
Organization of Environmental Planners.

Sec. 8 They shall constantly adhere to the highest

standards of integrity and transparency in the
conduct of their personal and professional affairs. As
such, they shall:
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article II: Responsibility to the
Profession and to the Professional
Organization of Environmental Planners.
Sec. 8. Xxx.
(a) Disclose their professional qualifications,
affiliations, and experience accurately and desist
from claiming any professional qualification unless
supported by academic credentials, track record or
relevant experience.
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article II: Responsibility to the Profession and
to the Professional Organization of
Environmental Planners.
Sec. 8. Xxx.
(b) Refrain from resorting to paid advertisement nor self-
laudatory, exaggerated or misleading publicity.

Media releases/announcement or news paper supplements may

cover events undertaken only to commemorate their
anniversaries in public practice by informing the public of their
achievements or accomplishments in contributing towards
nation-building and in international understanding, good will or
relationship, or in enhancing the image or standards of the
professions.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article II: Responsibility to the Profession and
to the Professional Organization of
Environmental Planners.
Sec. 8 xxx:
(c) Serve as resource persons, speakers in public
fora, seminars and assemblies or as
writers/columnist in regular publications; and

(d) Pursue a program of continuing professional

development.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article III: Responsibility to Co-professionals.
Sec. 9. In their practice of profession, Environmental Planners shall develop
and encourage a healthy and harmonious relationship with colleagues and
other professional. They shall:

(a) Give due respect to the professional image of colleagues at all

times;

(b) Share results of researches and studies undertaken on relevant

subject areas; and

(c) Seek to broaden the range of opportunities for professional

involvement.
Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article IV: Responsibility to the Clients.
Sec. 10. Environmental Planners shall, at all times,
maintain highest degree of professionalism and
integrity in their working relationship with clients.
Services shall be rendered with honesty, transparency,
and good faith. They shall:
(a) Exercise honesty in presenting their professional
credentials and competence;
(b) Provide services strictly within the scope of
environmental planning practice;
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article IV: Responsibility to the Clients.
Sec. 10. Xxx.

(c) Avoid engaging in activities which may give rise

to conflict of interest;

(d) Charge professional fees commensurate with the

extent and quality of services rendered; and
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article IV: Responsibility to the Clients.
Sec. 10. Xxx.

(e) Keep confidential information and related

documents obtained in the course of their
professional services, except with the permission of
the client or upon lawful order of court.
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article V: Responsibility to the Country and
Society.
Sec. 11. The primary obligations of Environmental
Planners to the country and society is to safeguard
national interest. More specifically, within the scope of
the environmental planning profession, they shall be
guided by the following societal concerns:

(a) Sustainable Development as a long-range

planning strategy;
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article V: Responsibility to the Country and
Society.
Sec. 11. Xxx.

(b) Priority attention to the needs of the disadvantaged

and marginalized sectors of the society;

(c) Protection and conservation of the natural

environment, as well as the cultural and historical
heritage of the country;
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article V: Responsibility to the Country and
Society.
Sec. 11. Xxx.
(d) Enhance public ownership and mutual accountability of
the country’s development agenda through participatory
planning implementation;

(e) Contribution to informed and enlightened decision-

making in government through objective and accurate
reporting and evaluation of significant planning issues and
concerns; and
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners (CEEP) -
Article V: Responsibility to the Country and
Society.
Sec. 11. Xxx.

(f) Special attention to the reduction of disparities

among regions and administrative/geographical
areas.
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article VI: Penal Provision.
Sec. 12. Violation of any of the provisions of this
Code shall constitute unethical and unprofessional
conduct and shall, therefore, be considered as
sufficient cause for the revocation of Certificate of
Registration or suspension from the practice of the
profession in accordance with Section 9 (d) Article
II and Section 21 Article III of RA 10587.
 Code of Ethics for Environmental Planners
(CEEP) - Article VI: Effectivity.

Official Gazette Publication : June 01, 2015

Date of Effectivity : July 01, 2015

Case Problems/Scenarios
 Case Problem: No. 1
Max is a member of PIEP – Palawan Chapter who, for
unknown reasons, is so stubborn on his obligation of paying
his yearly registration fees and membership dues to the
chapter and is uncooperative in all activities of the chapter
sanctioned by the National Chapter for more than 5 years.

The Chapter refused to issue to Max Certificate of Good

Standing and has decided to file a case against him before
the PRB of Environmental Planning for violation of the Code
of Ethics of Environmental Planner’s praying that Max
Certificate of Registration be revoked or cancelled.

Question: Is Max guilty of violating the Code of Ethics for

En.P’s?
Answer:
Yes, Max is guilty of violating the Code of Ethics for En.P’s. The
Code provides that Environmental Planner shall actively
participate and get involved in the activities and efforts of their
organization in promoting the concerns and affairs of the
profession. Max being a member of the PIEP – Palawan Chapter
has the responsibility to his organization of paying his annual
registration fees and chapter membership dues and to support
the activities of his chapter.

Under the law (RA 10587) a Registered Environmental Planner is

automatically a member of PIEP and unjustified or unexplained
neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for five
consecutive years is sufficient ground to revoke or suspend Max
Certificate of Registration.
 Case Problem: No. 2
Cheryl and Michele are best of friends and who are both
licensed En.Ps working together for a Beach Resort Project
to be put-up in El Nido, Palawan. Due to misunderstanding
their relationship turned cold and after the project was
established they decided put-up their separate
Environmental Planning Firm.
Cheryl received several text messages from her clients
informing her of messages being spread by Michele against
her or to malign or discredit her professional practice due
to their issues or misunderstanding that happened when
they worked together. Cheryl filed a case against Michele
for unethical and unprofessional conduct before the PRB of
Environmental Planning.
Question: Did Michele violated the Code of Ethics for
En.P’s?
Answer:
Yes, Michele violated the Code of Ethics for
En.P’s particularly Section 9 of Article III thereof.
The Code provides that En.P’s shall develop and
encourage a healthy and harmonious relationship
with colleagues and shall give due respect to the
professional image of colleague’s at all times.
Michele’s act of spreading messages to malign
Cheryl’s professional practice fall short of ethical
standard expected to her to maintain healthy and
harmonious relationship with co-professionals and
give due respect to the professional image of her
colleagues.
 Case Problem: No. 3
Mr. X, a licensed En.P, offered his service to obtain all the
environmental permits and licenses necessary for Ms. Y to
operate her Eco-tourism Business/Project. Ms. Y initially paid
Mr. X of P300k as mobilization fee on the expectation that the
same can be accomplished within 2 years.
Almost 4 years has passed and Ms. Y has not heard anything
from Mr. X. and so she demanded to the latter (Mr. X) to render
an account of the P300K and for the return of any unspent
amount to which the latter failed to comply and gave no any
explanation.
Ms. Y filed a complaint against Mr. X before the PRB of
Environmental Planning for unethical and unprofessional
conduct.

• Question: Has Mr. X violated the Code of Ethics for EnP’s?

Answer:
Yes, Mr. X violated the Code of Ethics for EnP’s
particularly Sec. 10 Article IV thereof. It provides that
EnP’s has the responsibility to the client’s to render
his service with honesty, transparency and good
faith. Mr. X failure to offer any explanation on the
delay of environmental permits and for failure to
account and return the money paid to him by Ms. Y
(client) constitutes as unethical and unprofessional
conduct.
 Case Problem: No. 4
Mathew is the MPDC of the Municipality of PPC, a 1st Class Municipality. He
was given an authority to practice his profession as En.P by the Mayor.
Company X is putting-up a Condominium Project in the municipality and has
obtained the services of Mathew as consultant to ensure compliance of the
project for zoning and environmental permits.

Zandra, the Assistant MPDC, suspicious of the expedient issuance of zoning

permit by Mathew despite issues on conformity with the CLUP, has learned
the engagement of Mathew to the company. She then filed a complaint
before the Office of the Ombudsman for Violation of RA. 6713 (Code of
Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and R.A.
3019 (Violation of Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and for violation of
Code of Ethics for EnP’s before the PRB of Environmental Planning.

Question: Has Mathew violated the Code of Ethics for EnP’s?

Answer:
Yes, Mathew violated the Code of Ethics for EnP’s. The
Code provides that EnP’s shall avoid engaging in activities
which may give rise to conflict of interest. Mathew being the
MPDC/Zoning Coordinator of Municipality of PPC is the one
who issues zoning permit and when he accepted his
employment with the Company X who will secure a zoning
permit before his office, a conflict of interest arises thereby
affecting the faithful performance of his official duty to the
Municipality of PPC and to his client.
Always do right. This will gratify some people &
astonish the rest.” -- Mark Twain, American author
of “Tom Sawyer”

Ethics are what you do when no one is looking.” –

George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, Nobel awardee
for literature

Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world

were watching – Thomas Jefferson, founding father &
3rd President of the USA
Thank you!