AN elderly couple was injured after their house and two other structures were hit by big waves in Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City when a fast craft passed along the Mactan Channel yesterday morning.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Andy Berame said the residents of Purok Gemilina, Sitio Sperla, especially those living in stilt houses, have been reminded to move out of the area, but they insisted on staying there despite the danger.

The makeshift house of Alfredo Rosales, 72, and his wife, Lilia, 67, collapsed when big waves hit their structure at 6:20 a.m.

Two other structures where their children and grandchildren live were also destroyed.

Berame said Alfredo suffered wounds and bruises in his arms and other parts of the body.

According to Alfredo, Lilia suffered a broken leg and was sent to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Alfredo and Lilia immediately ran outside when they noticed that there house was hit by the waves. Six other family members, including a two-year-old girl, survived the incident.

According to the City Public Information Office, a tent was delivered to the area to serve as temporary shelter for the family.

“Ato ana di angay puy-an ang dagat...Mangita tag kabalhinan kay in the first place, hazard-prone area gyud na. Kahibaw na sila ana (My advice to the residents there is that they should not live in makeshift houses that stand on the sea. Find a safer ground because in the first place, it is a hazard-prone area, and they know that),” Berame added. (FMG)