Manila: The House of Representatives on Monday adopted House Resolution (HR) 2165, expressing its ‘profound condolences’ to the family of the late Department of Agriculture Undersecretary and former Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor Savellano. Savellano passed away on January 7 at the age of 65. He is survived by his wife, Dina Bonnevie-Savellano, and children Josephine Elizabeth Marie Savellano-Padua, Patricia Angelique Marie Savellano-Singson, Deogracias Jose Victorino Savellano, Virginia Nicole Savellano, and Rita Marie Savellano-Ocampo.
According to Philippines News Agency, Savellano was born on November 25, 1959, in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, to Victorino Savellano and Virginia Barbers. He also held positions as a former governor and vice governor of Ilocos Sur province. The resolution was authored by several lawmakers, including Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and others. They noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. described Savellano as ‘someone whose heart always belonged to the people he served.’
The authors of the resolution highlighted Savellano’s dedication to promoting agricultural development, improving farmers’ lives, and preserving local culture as hallmarks of an excellent public servant. Savellano’s political career began as vice mayor of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, from 1981 to 1986. In 2023, he was appointed as the DA Undersecretary for livestock, oversight official of the National Tobacco Administration, and DA representative to the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council.
During his tenure as a lawmaker, Savellano authored several bills focusing on cultural heritage, trade, tourism, and health. Notable among these are Republic Act Nos. 11915, the National Music Competitions for Young Artists Act; 11904, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act; and 11900, regulating the importation and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products. As Ilocos Sur governor, Savellano initiated the Kabsat Caravan, a prosperity program that distributed free farm machinery and inputs to farmers across the province.
