Manila, Aug. 14 -- Persons affected by inclement weather have climbed to 4.18 million, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported Friday.

OCD information officer Diego Mariano said the affected persons are equivalent to about 1.21 million families, from Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Calabarzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, National Capital Region and Mimaropa.

He said an estimated 523 evacuation centers are currently sheltering some 14,511 families or 51,912 individuals.

Assistance provided to date amounted to PHP495.42 million.

Reported fatalities, which are still being validated, were at 21 (15 in Benguet; and three each in Rizal and Batangas).

The number of ...