With the expected exodus of travelers coming back to Metro Manila, the Quezon City Engineering Department (QCED) said it has started conducting road clearing operations to ensure smooth and comfortable travel of the returning motorists.

Joselito Cabungcal, chief of the QCED, said his office began clearing main roads and secondary streets leading to cemeteries, churches and terminals, removing debris left by the millions of people who went to cemeteries, churches and terminals on the occasion of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“I have been given specific instructions by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to remove obstructions on the roads to ensure the unimpeded flow of traffic,’’ Cabungcal said.

He said his office is concentrating on the road clearing works on the Balintawak section of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) where heavy traffic congestion is expected since the latter leads to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Monumento area in Caloocan City.

With the conclusion of the holidays honoring the dead, Cabungcal said millions of people are expected to troop back to Metro Manila from Central and Northern Luzon provinces using NLEX and MacArthur Highway which lead to Quezon City.

He appealed to motorists not to discard plastic cups, sandwich and candy wrappers and the like on the streets as they may find their way to the drainage systems that may eventually cause heavy flooding.

“Pakiusap naman po sa mga motorists na wag na po tayong magtapon ng kalat sa kalye lalong lalo na sa ganitong nag-uuulan dahil ito po ang nagiging sanhi ng pagbabara ng ating inlets at drainage mains,’’ Cabungcal said.