MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - Metro Manila experienced on Saturday its warmest day since the start of 2010.

According to weather bureau PAGASA, Metro Manila's temperature hit 35.8 degrees Celsius, the warmest so far this year.

However, last Thursday (March 4) was the warmest noted temperature in the entire Philippines with 36.6 degrees Celsius in General Santos City, also since the start of the year.

Metro Manila residents should still expect hotter conditions in the next four days, as PAGASA predicts temperatures would reach 36 degrees.

Warmer conditions are also prevailing in the rest of the country.

Temperatures in Tuguegarao, Cagayan may reach 37 degrees on Sunday,  34 degrees in Iloilo, and 33 degrees in Davao and Zamboanga.

Legaspi, Cebu, Puerto Princesa and Cagayan de Oro may experience temperature highs of 32 degrees Celsius.

State of calamity

Meanwhile,  a state of calamity has been declared in Pangasinan, to enable the local government to tap funds necessary to deal with the dry spell.

Farmers are being forced to harvest their crops prematurely due to lack of water.
 
Other areas placed under a state of calamity are Banaue in ifugao, and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.
 
The provinces experiencing dry spell are:

Abra
Benguet
Kalinga
Ifugao
Apayao
Mt. Province

Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
La Union
Pangasinan
Cagayan

Bataan
Bulacan
Nueva Ecija
Pampanga
Tarlac
Zambales

Batangas
Cavite
Laguna
Rizal

Iloilo
Antique
Guimaras
Negros Occidental

Latest data shows 25 provinces are experiencing the effects of the El Niño. Most of these are in luzon.

The scorching weather is expected to last two to three months. -- with a report from ANC