Solon blames Pokemon Go for Metro Manila traffic

Gotta catch ’em all—Pokemon Go players riding in cars, that is.

A congressman has blamed Pokemon Go players for worsening the already horrendous traffic situation in Metro Manila.

In a statement on Tuesday, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda lamented the blame placed on provincial buses for the heavy vehicular traffic in the metropolis.

“Why pick on our pobreng provincianos to solve Metro Manila traffic? Pokemon-playing is a greater aggravation of Metro Manila traffic,” Salceda said.

Instead, Salceda said Pokemon Go users playing inside their cars should be blamed for stalling the traffic.

“Pokemon-playing in private cars pose more threat of aggravation to Metro Manila traffic than provincial buses,” Salceda said.

He also said there were over 2.5 million private vehicles in Metro Manila while there were only 3,300 provincial buses.

Salceda said drivers playing the app tend to drive slowly so their passengers could catch the Pokemon, or Pocket Monster based on the hit anime, or stand by the Lure, or spots where several Pokemon could be caught using the app.

“‘Dahan-dahan, may Pikachu dito. Itabi mo sandali, may Lures dito.’ If you are rich enough to maintain a private car, you must be rich enough to (afford for) yourself and your kids an Android, iPad or iPhone. Multiply that by the 2.5 million cars in Metro Manila,” Salceda said.