1.

1 General

The Manual states about attaining the quality project of civil engineering services. Both expectations of
the client or the employer and the requirement of the project must satisfy by this manual. It requires
professional dedication, effort, adequate time for investigation, planning and innovation. This can be
done by consistent and team effort throughout all phases of a project.

1.2 Professional responsibility

The standard of practice for civil engineer is to be given responsibility for studying, conceiving,
designing, observing construction, and assisting in the programming for operation and maintaining
engineering works. Other services that are unforeseen like health, safety, well-being and comfort of the
members of the project team fulfill their professional and contractual responsibilities. Therefore the civil
engineer has obligations as trustee to the public interest as well as faithful to the private interest of
clients. Fulfilling these responsibilities require truthfulness, mutual trust, and effective communication
and understanding between the civil engineer and the client.

1.3 Client-civil relationship

The proper relationship between civil engineers and their public and private are important objectives of
this manual. Each of them has obligation in order to fulfill the project constructed.

1.3.1 Obligations of the civil engineer

The obligations of the Civil Engineer includes: exercising reasonable skill, care and diligence in
the performance of his obligation; acting independently as required by contract and performing
necessary skills and professional judgment when required to certify, decide or exercise discretion
between the client and a third party with whom the client has a contract; being aware of any matters
which will change the scope of the services; not initiating or proceeding with any subsequent stage of
the services without approval of the client; directing and cooperating with all other professionals and
integrating their work where applicable into that being undertaken by the civil engineer and other
professionals; recommending specialist suppliers and/or contractors to design and execute certain parts
of the works; notifying the client of any interest the civil engineer has which may significantly conflict
with the interest of the client under their contract

1.3.2 Obligations of the client

The obligations of the clients includes: paying the civil engineer for his services depending on
their agreement; providing the civil engineer within reasonable time that does not result delay to the
provision of services. All information and decision must be in terms of writing; cooperating with the civil
engineer and not obstructing the proper performance of the services; making arrangements to enable
the civil engineer to enter the site and inspect facilities needed in the performance of his services;
arranging for the provision of services from other professionals or others as may be required and bear
all costs;
`1.3.3 Liability of civil engineer and the client

The civil engineer shall only be liable to pay damages arising out of or in connection with their
agreement if a breach of duty of care is established against the civil engineer and the resolution
shall be done by giving preference to the process of arbitration.

1.3.3.a Limitation of Civil engineer’s responsibility

The civil engineer shall have no responsibility or liability for costs, loss or damage of
whatsoever nature arising from any errors from data, documents, plans, design prepared by civil
engineer; lack of recommendation made by civil engineer to the client, the civil engineer shall
not be held to have made any warranty or promise as to the sustainability, competence, or
performance of any other consultant, contractor, supplier, or other third party; not responsible
for the techniques, method, programs, sequences, or procedures adopted by any contractor or
other third party responsible for executing any aspects of the project;

1.3.3.b damages

Damages payable shall be limited to the amount of reasonably foreseeable loss and
damage suffered as a direct result of such breach. It shall be limited to the amount specified in
the specific provision or, if no such amount or provision is specified, to the lesser of P300,000 or
10% of the total amount of damages of the portion of the work attributable to the civil
engineer’s breach of duty or twenty five percent of the total of fees payable under their
agreement

1.3.4 Suspension of termination of services

If circumstances arise for which the civil engineer is not responsible and which make it
impractical or impossible for the civil engineer to perform the whole or part of services in
accordance with their agreement then the civil engineer shall promptly notify the client of the
same. If the Service has been suspended, the time for completion shall be extended by the
extent of the delay plus a reasonable period for their resumption or if the speed of performing
certain services has to be reduced, the time for their completion shall be extended as is
necessary by reason of the circumstances. The client may suspend all or part of the services or
terminate the agreement by written notice of no less than 30 days to the civil engineer who
shall immediately make arrangements to stop the services and minimize further expenditures

1.3.5 Settlement of Disputes

If disagreement arises on either party, then that party shall be notice in writing served on the
other party of the details of the dispute be resolved by conciliation. If it’s not resolved by
conciliation, it shall be referred to negotiation.
 1.3.6 Ownership of data, designs and documents

The design analyses, drawings, specifications and reproductions thereof are instruments of
services owned by the professional engineer and shall be used only for the specific project
covered by the agreement between the client and engineer

Typical services may include: Design, consultation and advices, feasibility studies, field invertigations and
engineering data collection, environmental assessments, impact statements or engineering report,
options or probable construction cost, preliminary and final design 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 maintenance manuals, appraisals and rate studies, value of engineering, expert
testimony, assessment of risks, structural remediation or rehabilitation, project management and
controls, provision of supplemental temporary staff and teaching

1.5 Specialization in Civil Engineering

The PICE recognizes specilizations in the fields of structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water
engineering, transportation engineering and construction management and engineerimg. A civil
engineer who has specilalized in any area of civil engineering may be considered as a specialist in the
appropriate feld as enumerated.

1.6 Selection of a civil engineer

Qualifications, experience, reputation and quality of client service are of critical importance in the
selection of a civil engineer as a consultant. Selection based primarily on cost of services, with limited
consideration of the competence or expertise of the consultant, can result in unsstisfactory service to
the client and in higher overall project costs. Once a civil engineer is selected, detailed discussions
between the engineer and client to define the scope and expectations of the engineering services to be
provided, are essentials before negotiating a fee for services. The PICE supports procedures such as
those specified by CIAP Documents 101 and 102, Executive Order 164, and PD 1594 as amended.

1.7 Prime Professional Practice

The guidelines in this manual refer specifically to the engagement of engineering services where the
consulting civil engineer serve as the client directly as a prime professional, and where the client is
usually also the owner of the project. Some information in this manual is also applicable where the civil
engineer serves the client indirectly as a subconsultant through another engineer or architect who
serves as rhe prime professional.
1.8 Employment

The guidelines in this manual also refer to Civil Engineer employed by professional consulting firms,
government agencies, educational institutions, construction firms, manufacturing and commercial
entities and other entities

1.9 Design Competition

It is a process through which a civil engineer is selected above other competitors based on proposal or
an innovative approach to solving a client’s needs. Competing firms are normally shortlisted from a
number of engineers responding to a client’s solicitation either directly by a letter request or indirectly
through a newspaper or other form of publication

1.10 Contingency basis of employment

PICE code provides that “ engineers may request, propose or accept professional commissions on a
contingency basis only under circumstances in which their professional judgment would not be
compromised”. Although contingent commissions are permissible, it is the general view of PICE that it is
not in the 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: The laws of the foreigner’s country 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 of such foreign state or country; allowed under international agreement; consultants to be
engaged in foreign-funded, joint venture or foreign-assisted projects of the government; employees of
the Philippine of foreign private institution pursuant to law; and civil engineer who were former citizens
of the Philippines, who had registered 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, sojurn or permanent residence, desire to practice profession