PARTLY FALSE: Power outage over ‘entire Laguna’

Claim: A message being shared on messaging apps warns people to charge their devices because of a supposed blackout that hit the entirety of Laguna.

The message began to spread on Monday, January 13, after Taal Volcano spewed ash and lava.

“Lilinisin kasi ang transformer ng Meralco, kaya nila papatayin dahil napupuno na ng bubangin [sic] ang transformer at dahil dito maaaring sumabog ang mga transformer,” the message read.

(Meralco will clean their transformers, that’s why they’re turning the power off, because the transformer is filled with ash and this might cause it to explode.)

This claim was sent to Rappler via email for fact checking.

Rating: PARTLY FALSE

The facts: While ashfall did affect electricity in Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna, not all areas in these provinces were affected.

According the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Region (DILG) IV-A Disaster Risk Reduction team, there were power interruptions in Calamba and Cabuyao, Laguna, but power was restored on the night of January 13.

In a statement, Meralco said it is already working to restore power in the areas that experienced interruptions and outages.

Some portions of Sta Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba already had their electricity restored in the morning of January 13, they said.

“Meralco assures the public of uninterrupted electricity in unaffected areas,” they added.

The claim spread amid an imminent eruption from Taal Volcano, which spewed lava and ash earlier in the day. – Rappler.com