The ERC is holding holding a public consultation this week on the proposed Amendments to the Philippine Grid Code and we have a total of three … count them, three … filed comments on their website.

This is the old conversation between Meralco and Napocor. That conversation is dying. A lot of people have a stake in the Grid Code and management of the Grid in the new restructured power sector.

There are executives of large industries that will want a say. Power plant owners will want a say. Customer advocacy groups and NGO’s will want a say. People OUTSIDE MANILA will want a say.

Competitive electricity markets are indeed a new paradigm where the participants engage each other. And the participants include the ratepayers and business owners. Not only is this not the old boy’s club brokered by an inaccessable regulator anymore, but it’s also a new, flattened age where the barriers to widespread personal participation are crumbling before our eyes.

The consultation will last for two days and I’m sure there will be many making personal appearances. But there’s no reason the conversation could not already have started with many more pre-filed comments by many more parties. And responses to comments. Hell, half the issues could have been fleshed out before Thursday morning. Or at least teed up.

There are many business owners and engaged NGO’s and other groups throughout the islands - smart people - that can’t just come to Manila for a workshop. There is no reason to exclude them from the conversation. Do more on-line to raise the quality of this conversation.