Awareness, Compliance, and Difficulties of Property Custodians: Basis for a Facilities Management Plan

This study investigates the level of awareness, extent of compliance, and challenges faced by property custodians in a small-sized school division in the Central Philippines during the academic year 2022–2023. Guided by the theories of awareness, compliance, and difficulties, the research employed a descriptive-comparative design using a validated and reliable self-made questionnaire. The study involved 63 property custodians and examined four key areas: privileges, procurement and inventory schemes, safekeeping and maintenance, and condemnation and disposal. Results revealed a generally moderate level of awareness and compliance, with the most significant challenges emerging in the domains of safekeeping and maintenance. Notably, demographic factors such as age, educational attainment, and years of experience significantly influenced levels of awareness, while no significant differences were found in compliance and difficulty levels across groups. The study identified weaknesses in coordinating procurement activities, communicating privilege-related responsibilities, and maintaining regular cleaning routines. These findings informed the development of targeted recommendations, including differentiated training programs, technological integration, mentorship initiatives, and enhanced interdepartmental collaboration. The research underscores the importance of improving property custodians' competencies to strengthen the management and preservation of school facilities, thereby fostering a more conducive learning environment.