Manila, Sept. 2 -- An initiative led by the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILEDF) is eyeing to position Iloilo as the bamboo powerhouse in Southeast Asia by 2030.

Velma Jane Lao, head of the Local Economic Investment Promotion Office of Iloilo City, said bamboo stood out due to its strong fundamentals during their industry development for export and import substitution, or the research-based export strategy.

These included the job creations, land productivity, value addition and market competitiveness.

The municipality of Maasin in Iloilo is also recognized as the "Bamboo Capital of the Philippines."

"We are here because of our strategic location, because of its business landscape and progressive city," Lao said in an intervi...