Manila, Aug. 19 -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported Wednesday that 5.39 million individuals have been affected by continued adverse weather conditions, with 27 deaths being verified.

In a message to reporters, OCD public information officer Diego Mariano said the affected people are equivalent to nearly 1.54 million families residing in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Cordillera region, and the National Capital Region.

Mariano said an estimated 461 evacuation centers are sheltering about 12,194 families, equivalent to 42,203 persons.

He said assistance provided to the affected communities has reached about PHP797 million.

Meanwhi...