Republic of the Philippines

PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION

Manila

BOARD OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Board Resolution No. 06
Series of 2003

CODE OF ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE

OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 9(a) of Republic Act No. 8495, known as
the “Philippine Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998” and Section 50, Rule XIII of
Board Resolution No. 16, Series of 1998, providing for the Rules and Regulations to
carry out the purposes of providing for the Rules and Regulations to carry out the
purposes of the Act, the Board of Mechanical Engineering hereby adopts,
promulgates and issues this Code of Ethical and Professional Standards for the
Practice of the Mechanical Engineering profession.

PREAMBLE

Engineering is a profession as old as civilization. It is not only an important

profession. It is also a learned one.

The Members of the Mechanical Engineering profession recognize that their

work has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life of the people.

The services that Mechanical Engineers provide is impressed with public

interest for it affects the health, safety and welfare of the people, hence, they should
be honest, fair, impartial and just in dealing not only with their clients but also with
their fellowmen.

As a professional, the Mechanical Engineer must practice his profession by

observing a standards of professional behavior that requires strict adherence to the
principles of ethical and professional conduct provided by the Code of Ethics of their
profession.

FUNDAMENTALS CANONS

Mechanical Engineers in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the
performance of their professional duties.
 2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.

3. Make/Issue public statements on issues only in an objective and truthful

Agents or trustees.

4. Avoid improper solicitation of clients or professional employment.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Rule 1. The mechanical engineer shall, in the practice of his profession, be guided
by the Golden Rule, the ideals of service to man and his environment, and
the need to secure unwavering public confidence in his professional
competence, integrity and humanity.

Rule 2. The mechanical engineer shall maintain the proper professional fee for his
profession, observe the standards of professional practice, safeguard the
dignity, and reputation of his colleagues in the profession, and fulfill his
duties and obligations as a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines.

Rule 3. The mechanical engineer shall update and enhance constantly his
professional knowledge and skills through assiduous research and study,
and participation in continuing professional development programs and
seminars conducted or authorized by the Integrated Organization of
Mechanical Engineers accredited by the Board of Mechanical Engineering
and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) or educational
institution supervised by the State.

Rule 4. The ethical principles required to be observed by mechanical engineers

shall equally apply to partnership, firms and entities organized and existing
for the practice of mechanical engineering.

RELATIONS WITH THE STATE

Rule 5. The mechanical engineer shall honor and respect the supreme authority of
the State the Rule of Law, the primacy of the general welfare, the
fundamental rights of persons, and the obligations and privileges of
citizens recognized and guaranteed by the Constitution of the Philippines.

Rule 6. He shall cooperate fully with the State in the pursuit of national
development plans and programs, shall respect the inviolability of national
security, shall assist in the promotion of peace and order and when
circumstances arise shall assist in the prevention and/or prosecution of
unjust, criminal or unlawful acts and omissions.

Rule 7. He shall be ready to render the services needed for the development of
the resources of the country, and to offer his mechanical devices and
inventions essential or necessary for national defense.
Rule 8. In case of national emergency, he shall be ready to offer his professional
knowledge, skill and experience in the service of the State.

RELATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY

Rule 9. The mechanical engineer shall be well-informed of the latest technological

progress in his own line of work. He shall encourage or require whenever
appropriate the use, or application of standard mechanical equipment,
machinery, or process for safety, economy and efficiency.

Rule 10. Whenever he designs a mechanical equipment, machinery or process, or

prepares the layout of a project, he must apply an adequate factor of
safety, and provide for the necessary leeway to insure and maintain for
proper operating and maintenance conditions.

Rule 11. When he discovers faulty or unsafe devices, equipment, or machinery in

any place, work or plant, he shall without delay, give notice thereof to the
proper authority, public or private, for the immediate and effective
correction, regardless or whether or not he is responsible for said place,
work or plant.

RELATIONS WITH LABOR

Rule 12. The mechanical engineer shall recognize labor as one of the major
resources of our country. He must acknowledge that a working man is not
a mechanical robot but a human being.

Rule 13. He should be familiar with State policies on labor and Social Justice, as
well as, the labor and social legislation and shall observe faithfully these
policies and laws in dealings with labor in general, and with his workmen
in particular.

Rule 14. He shall strive to improve the skills of his workmen, pay them a fair living
wage, and instruct them on how to prevent accidents in their place of
work.

RELATIONS WITH CLIENTS AND EMPLOYERS

Rule 15. The mechanical engineer shall observe punctuality in his appointments,
perform honestly and in good faith his contractual obligation and his duties
and obligations to his client or employer, and observe fair dealing in his
relations with his clients and employers.

Rule 16. He shall treat with confidentiality and information obtained by him
regarding the business affairs and technical methods or processes of a
client, or employer.
Rule 17. He shall inform his client or employer of his business connections,
interests, or affiliations which may influence his judgment, or impair the
quality or character of his services.

Rule 18. The mechanical engineer is entitled to a just and fair compensation for his
services. In computation of such compensation, the period of time
consumed, his professional knowledge, skill, experience, and reputation,
and the depreciation of instruments and materials used, shall be
considered and accorded such weight as is just and reasonable.

Rule 19. He shall accept compensation, financial or otherwise, for his services from
his clients or employer only. He may agree to, or receive compensation
from any other source only with the full knowledge and consent of all
parties concerned.

Rule 20. The mechanical engineer shall be completely above suspicion or reproach
in his relation with his clients or employers, avoiding the remotest
reference or relations to any secret or questionable agreement on
commissions or other financial consideration promised by or received from
any person or entity other than his client or employer.

RELATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES AND ASSOCIATES

Rule 21. “To thine ownself be true and thou cannot be false to any men” expresses
the duty which a mechanical engineer owes to himself and to others.

Rule 22. The mechanical engineer shall use only fair means to gain professional
advancement. In the pursuit thereof, he shall not injure the work or
employment opportunities of others, or use any improper or questionable
method of soliciting employment or clients.

Rule 23. He shall refrain from associating with, or allowing the use of his name by,
any person or entity of questionable reputation.

Rule 24. He shall provide the opportunity and the means to improve and advance
the knowledge, skills, and experience of his colleagues and associates.

Rule 25. He shall define clearly the line of authority and scope of responsibility of
his associates and assistants. Orders, or recall thereof, shall be issued
through proper channels.

Rule 26. He shall be receptive to new ideas and suggestions from others, and
ready to recognize, encourage, and accredit the authors thereof.
Suggestions from colleagues and associates shall be given more careful
attention.
Rule 27. He shall use tact and discretion in dealing with his colleagues and
associates, but not at the sacrifice of firmness. He shall work out difficult
problems with courage and serenity.

Rule 28. Careful selection of understudies shall be guiding principle, and

preference shall be given to those with adequate engineering education.

Rule 29. He shall not expect others to face danger that he himself will not face. He
shall observe at all times safety requirements for the protection of all
concerned.

Rule 30. The mechanical engineer shall actively support the duly accredited
association with the end in view of enhancing the practice of the
profession and discharging his public responsibilities as a professional.

PROVISIONS ON DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Rule 31. Violation of any provision of this Code shall constitute a ground for
the revocation or suspension of the certificate of registration and
professional license/professional identification card or the
cancellation of a temporary or special permit under the provisions of
Sec. 26 and Sec. 27, Art. III of R.A. No. 8495, known as the
“Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998” and Sec. 41, Rule VII of the
“Rules and Regulations Implementing R.A. No. 8495”.

EFFECTIVITY

Rule 32. This Code shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication
in full in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,
whichever comes earlier.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10 th day of March, 2003.

ANTONIO RO. HERRERA

Chairman

DONATO K. KARAMIHAN CHONA A. EVANGELISTA

Member Member
ATTESTED:

CARLOS G. ALMELOR
Secretary, Professional Regulatory Boards

APPROVED:

ANTONIETA FORTUNA-IBE
Chairperson

ALFONSO G. ABAD AVELINA DE LA REA-TAN

Commissioner Commissioner