MANILA - Close to 500,000 people remain in evacuation centers all over the country as the Philippines continues to deal with the aftermath of tropical storm Ondoy (Ketsana) and typhoon Pepeng (Parma).

Disaster officials said a total of 152,776 persons or 32,055 families in 492 barangays affected by typhoon Pepeng are staying in 289 evacuation centers as of 4 p.m. Sunday.

On the other hand, a total of 317,660 persons or 64,975 families affected by tropical storm Ondoy last week are still staying in government evacuation centers as of 11 p.m. Sunday.

The NDCC said a total of 288 people were killed at the height of tropical storm Ondoy while another 42 people are missing. Likewise, "Pepeng" has killed a least 14 people while two others remain missing.

Education Undersecretary Ramon Bacani said "Pepeng" has caused an estimated P14 million in damages to school buildings in Northern and Central Luzon.

Bacani said he expects the damage estimate to go higher as other regions send their assessment reports.