Principal dies after falling from roof

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – The principal of Guinpana-an Elementary School in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, passed away in a hospital yesterday, three days after he slipped and fell from the roof of a classroom last Sunday.

Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Negros Occidental, confirmed in a phone interview the death of 60-year-old Reynaldo Mojares. However, the cause of his death has yet to be determined.

Arnaez said that Mojares, his wife, and some teachers went to the school on July 28 to do the final checking and cleaning before the opening of classes on July 29.

After cleaning, the teachers and utility personnel went home. However, while waiting for his wife, who is also a teacher at the school, he probably saw some leaves on the roof of one of the classrooms.

This prompted him to climb the roof alone and remove the leaves. However, while he was going down the ladder, he slipped and fell, according to Arnaez.

Arnaez said that Mojares suffered head injuries and was rushed to a hospital.

Mojares was known to be hardworking and enthusiastic. He even offered his personal time to clean the school on weekends, Arnaez said.

He added that Mojares, who was turning 61, was supposed to retire in December this year or January next year.