Malapascua and Alona/Balicasag Trip Report

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I'm 100% certain that PADI still has swimming as a prerequisite for learning to dive (200m) - everywhere worldwide. It's just that not all instructors are caring to follow the standards.

Sadly it does not and never has:-

At some point before certification, have students
complete a 200 metre/yard continuous surface swim or
a 300 metre/yard swim with mask, fins and snorkel.

So in theory someone completely unable to swim but is able to thrash around with fins and a mask can pass it.

As you said though, the main problem is instructors/dive centres completely and utterly ignoring and cutting training standards. Combine that with the "new breed" of tourists who cant swim and often have never been in the water in their lives and its a scary combination.
The standards are poor in some areas but thats not really as much of an issue as the existing standards being roundly ignored.