Civil Engineering Laws, Contracts, and Ethics

CE Laws, Contracts, and Ethics

Failure to Renew License

• If a contractor fails to renew their license, their license is suspended until renewal (C)
• No immediate fine or grace period is given (A, B, D)

Regulation of Civil Engineering in the Philippines

• The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is responsible for regulating the practice of civil engineering in the Philippines (b)
• The Civil Engineering Board of the Philippines is also involved in regulating the practice (c)
• The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is not directly responsible for regulating civil engineering practice (a)

Role of the Professional Regulatory Board of Civil Engineering

• The Professional Regulatory Board of Civil Engineering conducts licensure examinations for civil engineers (a)
• It does not set construction standards and guidelines or enforce labor laws (b, c)
• It administers contracts for civil engineering projects (d)

Code of Ethics for Civil Engineers

• Failing to disclose conflicts of interest to clients is a violation of the Code of Ethics (a)
• Reporting safety concerns to the appropriate authorities is not a violation (b)
• Collaborating with other professionals to improve project outcomes is encouraged (c)
• Engaging in lifelong learning to enhance professional competence is also encouraged (d)

Types of Contracts

• Common types of contracts used in civil engineering projects in the Philippines include fixed price, cost plus, lump sum, and time and materials contracts (a, b, c, d)

Performance Bond

• The purpose of a performance bond is to ensure completion of the project on time (a)
• It does not protect the owner against defective workmanship or guarantee payment to subcontractors and suppliers (b, c)
• It covers the cost of potential project changes (d)

Registration and Accreditation of Contractors

• The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) is responsible for the registration and accreditation of contractors (c)
• The DPWH, Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, and National Economic and Development Authority are not directly responsible (a, b, d)

Philippine Government Procurement Reform Act

• The purpose of the Philippine Government Procurement Reform Act is to promote transparency and efficiency in government procurement (a)
• It does not provide financial assistance to civil engineering projects or regulate professional fees (b, c)
• It enforces strict quality control standards in construction (d)

Maximum Allowable Contract Period

• The maximum allowable contract period for a public infrastructure project in the Philippines is 4 years (b)
• It cannot exceed 2, 6, or 8 years (a, c, d)

RA 4566

• RA 4566 regulates the practice of engineering in the Philippines (A)
• It does not create the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) or oversee the construction of public buildings (B, C)
• It implements environmental policies in construction (D)

Occupational Safety Standards

• The Department of Labor and Employment is responsible for monitoring and enforcing occupational safety standards in construction sites (c)
• The DPWH, Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, and National Housing Authority are not directly responsible (a, b, d)

Philippine Civil Engineering Code of Ethics

• The purpose of the Philippine Civil Engineering Code of Ethics is to establish professional standards and conduct (b)
• It does not ensure fair competition among civil engineers or regulate fees (a, c)
• It encourages collaboration among industry stakeholders (d)

Unethical Behavior

• Engaging in bribery or corruption is an example of unethical behavior (c)
• Providing accurate and truthful information to clients, respecting intellectual property rights, and promoting sustainable construction practices are not unethical (a, b, d)

Fine for Practicing without a License

• The maximum fine for practicing civil engineering without a valid license is ₱500,000 (d)
• It cannot be ₱10,000, ₱50,000, or ₱100,000 (a, b, c)

Contract Documents

• The Contract Agreement is a document used to define the rights, responsibilities, and scope of work in a civil engineering contract (d)
• The Memorandum of Agreement, Bill of Quantities, and Technical Specifications are not used for this purpose (a, b, c)

Retention Money

• The period of retention money held by the owner or client after completion of a civil engineering project is 12 months (d)
• It cannot be 3, 6, or 9 months (a, b, c)

License Renewal

• A contractor's license must be renewed every 5 years under RA 4566 (D)
• It does not need to be renewed annually, every 2 years, or every 3 years (A, B, C)

Project Specifications

• The Engineer of Record typically prepares the project specifications in a construction contract (c)
• The Contractor, Client, and Architect are not typically responsible for this task (a, b, d)

Design and Build Contract

• In a design and build contract, the Contractor is responsible for both the design and construction of the project (d)
• The Architect, Civil Engineer, and Client are not responsible for both design and construction (a, b, c)

Standard Form of Contract

• The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Contract is a standard form of contract commonly used for government infrastructure projects in the Philippines (b)
• The Joint Venture Agreement, Lump Sum Contract, and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Agreement are not commonly used for this purpose (a, c, d)

Ethical Principle

• The ethical principle of public welfare and safety requires civil engineers to act in the best interest of the public (d)
• Professional competence and integrity, confidentiality, and sustainability and environmental stewardship are not the primary ethical principles (a, b, c)

Ethical Dilemma

• When faced with an ethical dilemma, a civil engineer should first review applicable laws and regulations (c)
• Consulting with a lawyer, seeking advice from a senior engineer, and maintaining confidentiality are not the first steps (a, b, d)

Penalty for Unethical Conduct

• A registered civil engineer found guilty of unethical conduct by the Professional Regulation Commission may face a fine and suspension of license (a)
• Community service, mandatory professional development training, and verbal warning are not typical penalties (b, c, d)

Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB)

• The primary objective of the PCAB is to regulate and license contractors in the Philippines (B)
• It does not provide technical training to contractors, fund infrastructure projects, or mediate disputes between contractors and clients (A, C, D)

Government Agency Responsibilities

• The DPWH is responsible for monitoring and regulating public infrastructure projects in the Philippines (a)
• The Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are not directly responsible (b, c, d)

Design and Build Method

• The purpose of the "Design and Build" method of project delivery is to reduce project costs and completion time (b)
• It does not ensure quality control during construction, increase transparency in the bidding process, or promote collaboration between engineers and architects (a, c, d)

Government Procurement Law

• The Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) is responsible for implementing the government procurement law in the Philippines (c)
• The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Commission on Audit (COA) are not directly responsible (a, b, d)

Procurement Methods

• Direct contracting is a procurement method involving direct negotiation between the government agency and a single supplier or contractor (b)
• Competitive bidding, shopping, and limited source bidding are not direct negotiation methods (a, c, d)

Post-Qualification

• Post-qualification involves reviewing and evaluating bids or proposals to determine the winning bidder (c)
• Prequalification, bid evaluation, and contract award are not the same as post-qualification (a, b, d)

Notice of Award

• The maximum period allowed for the procuring entity to issue the notice of award after bid evaluation is 14 calendar days (c)
• It cannot be 7, 10, or 21 calendar days (a, b, d)

Advance Payment

• The maximum amount of advance payment allowed for procurement projects under the Philippine government procurement law is 15% of the contract amount (b)
• It cannot be 10%, 20%, or 25% (a, c, d)

Bid Opening

• Bid opening involves examining and verifying the authenticity and completeness of the submitted eligibility, technical, and financial documents of the bidder (d)
• Pre-bid conference, prequalification, and post-qualification are not the same as bid opening (a, b, c)

Government Agency Responsibilities

• The Government Procurement Policy Board - Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) ensures compliance with government procurement rules and regulations (d)
• The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Commission on Audit (COA) are not directly responsible (a, b, c)

Test your knowledge of the laws, contracts, and ethics that govern civil engineering practices, including licensing and regulations.