The principal who fell off the roof of an elementary school building passed away at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City at 10:25 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Ian Villaflor confirmed.
Reynaldo Mojares, 60, principal of the Guinpana-an Elementary School in Moises Padilla, fell and hit his head on Sunday, Arnold Arnaez, Department of Education Division of Negros Occidental spokesperson, said on Tuesday.
“It is extremely sad that he died because of his earnest desire to do something which was originally beyond his call of duty. If at all it speaks a lot about the present state of our educational system. I hope he will not die in vain,“ Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District) said.
Grief stricken co-workers and students took to social media on Wednesday to express their condolences for a well-loved mentor.
“Thank you for pushing us all to be the best that we can be…You may be gone from our sight but you will never be gone in our hearts,” Glaiza Dalumpines Alvarado wrote on her Facebook page.
“Your towering presence was always inspiring. Your reassuring words were stress busting. Your constant support was highly motivating,” Shyvel Perez Abao said.
“A dedicated DepEd leader, a softball coach, an ideal family man and a man of all season. You’re a great loss to DepEd Sir Reynaldo Mojares. You will be gone but you will remain in our hearts forever,” Danilo Laurencio Esmane said.
Mojares along with his wife and other teachers went to Guinpana-an Elementary School on Sunday for last minute cleaning for the start of classes the next day, Arnaez said.
He reportedly saw a lot of leaves on the roof of a school building and climbed a ladder to remove them, Arnaez said.
Mojares who was turning 61 was planning to retire in December or January, Arnaez said.*