Module 1

INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL ETHICS AND ETHICAL VALUES

Introduction
A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct
business honestly and with integrity. A code of ethics document may outline the mission and
values of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach
problems, the ethical principles based on the organization's core values, and the standards to
which the professional is held. The Code of Ethics for Civil Engineers was published by the
Philippine Institute for Civil Engineers and was Adopted in September 2001 as part of the
Manual of Professional Practice. An aspiring civil engineer must understand and appreciate
this right now so as he knows how to conduct himself around other professionals, his clients,
and the society as a whole.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this modules, the students should be able to:
1. Define ethics and other related terms such as law, moral values, etc.
2. Assess on ethical values and its importance in the conduct work as professionals
3. Identify and explain the Fundamental Principles and Canons under the Code of
Ethics for Civil Engineering Practice

Fundamental Principles
Civil engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the civil engineering
profession by:

1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the
environment;
2. Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their
employers/employees and clients;
3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the civil engineering profession;
and
4. Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

Fundamental Canons

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 duties.
 a. Civil Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and welfare of the general
public are dependent upon engineering judgements, decisions, and practices
incorporated into structures, machines, products, processes and devices.
b. Civil Engineers shall approve or seal only those design documents, reviewed or
prepared by them, which are determined to be safe for public health and welfare in
conformity with accepted engineering standards.
c. Civil Engineers whose professional judgement is overruled under circumstances where
the safety, health, and welfare of the public are endangered, or the principles of
sustainable development ignored, shall inform their clients or employers of the possible
consequences.
d. Civil Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm
may be in violation of any of the provisions of Canon 1 shall present such information
to the proper authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority in
furnishing such further information or assistance as maybe required.
e. Civil Engineers should seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs
and work for the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of their communities,
and the protection of the environment through the practice of sustainable development.
f. Civil Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to
the principles of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the
general public.

CANON 2: Civil Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.

a. Civil Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when

qualified by education or experience in the technical field of engineering involved.
b. Civil Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside
of their own fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those
phases of such project in which they are qualified. All other phases of such project
shall be performed by qualified associates, consultants, or employees.
c. Civil Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any civil engineering plan
or document dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of
education or experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared
under their supervision and control.
d. Civil Engineers shall not use the Specialty Engineering Title such as Structural
Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Construction Engineer, etc. without PICE
Specialist Accreditation.
CANON 3: Civil Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
manner.

a. Civil Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of civil engineering
and sustainable development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue,
unfair or exaggerated statements regarding civil engineering
b. Civil Engineers shall be objective, and truthful in professional reports, statements, or
testimony. They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports,
statements, or testimony
c. Civil Engineers, when serving as expert witness, shall express civil engineering
opinion only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a
background of technical competence, and upon honest conviction.
d. Civil Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on civil
engineering matters which are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they
indicate on whose behalf the statements are made.
e. Civil Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit and
will avoid any act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the
integrity, honor and dignity of the civil engineering profession and/or related
professions.

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.

a. Civil Engineers shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their
employers or clients and shall promptly inform their employers or clients of any
business association, interests, or circumstances which could influence their
judgement or the quality of their services.
b. Civil Engineers shall not accept compensation from more than once 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.
c. Civil Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly from
contractors, their agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in
connection with work for which they are responsible.
d. Civil Engineers in public services as members, advisors, or employees of a
governmental body or department shall not participate in consideration or actions
with respect to services solicited or provide by them or their organization in private
or public engineering practice.
e. Civil Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their
studies, they believe a project will not be successful
f. Civil Engineers shall not use confidential information coming to them in the course of
their assignments as a means of making personal profit if such action is adverse to
the interests of their clients, employers or the public.
g. Civil Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular
work or interest without knowledge of their employers
CANON 5: Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their
services and shall not compete unfairly with others.

a. Civil Engineers shall not give, solicit, or receive either directly or indirectly, any
political contribution, gratuity or unlawful consideration in order to secure work,
exclusive of securing salaried positions through employment agencies.
b. Civil Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and on the
basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of professional
service required.
c. Civil Engineers may request, propose or accept professional commissions on a
contingent basis only under circumstances in which their professional judgements
would not be compromised.
d. Civil Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or
professional qualifications or experience
e. Civil Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work to those to whom credit
is due and shall recognize the proprietary interests of others. Whenever possible,
they shall name the person or persons who may be responsible for designs,
inventions, writings or other accomplishments.
f. Civil Engineers may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain
misleading language or is in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the
profession.
g. Civil Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly injure the
professional reputation, prospects, practice or employment of another engineer or
indiscriminately criticize another’s work.
h. Civil Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory or office facilities of
their employers to carry on outside private practice without the consent of their
employers.

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.

a. Civil Engineers shall not knowingly act in a manner which will be derogatory to the
honor, integrity, or dignity of the civil engineering profession or knowingly engage in
business or professional practices of a fraudulent, dishonest or unethical nature.

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.
a. Civil Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in
professional practice, participating in continuing education courses, reading in the
technical literature, and attending professional meetings and seminars.
b. Civil Engineers should encourage their engineering employees to become registered
at the earliest possible date.
c. Civil Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present
papers at professional and technical society meetings.
d. Civil Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between
employers and employees with respect to terms of employment including
professional grade descriptions, salary ranges, and fringe benefits.