THE number of people affected by Typhoon Santi has increased although the storm has already left the country, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said on Monday.

Santi, which made landfall over the weekend in the Bicol Region and traversed Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila, affected a total of 11,158 families or 54,630 persons.

The figure was slightly higher than the 2,853 families or 13,456 persons that was reported on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., NDCC spokesman, said the government constructed 103 evacuation centers for 3,924 families or 19, 356 persons.

As of Monday, Torres said the fatalities already reached 16 as two more deaths were reported in Rizal.

The number of injured victims and missing remained at four each.

Torres said that before Santi’s landfall, the government preemptively evacuated 23,103 families or 115,507 persons.

Meanwhile, a fisherman was reported missing on Monday in Cagayan province after his banca capsized due to bad weather. Chief Supt. Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police commander, said search-and-rescue teams are searching for Marvin Agarpao, 24, of Claveria, Cagayan, after his banca sank.

Another fisherman, Fabian Agarpao, who sustained butt and leg bruises, was rescued by search-and-rescue teams.

Damian, chairman of the Cagayan Valley Disaster Coordinating Council, said Marvin left Claveria, Cagayan, along with 38 other fishermen for Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, at past 4 a.m.

However, Damian said 37 fishermen who were onboard 14 bancas returned to Claveria after an hour at sea after they encountered bad weather.

Three of the bancas sank after they were battered by strong waves.

Damian said military helicopters along with Coast Guard and Navy boats are still searching for the missing fisherman.