The Federation of Indigenous Sectoral Tribal Councils of the Philippines (FISTCOP), Inc. is a non-stock corporation dedicated to empowering Indigenous Peoples (IPs) across the Philippines. Officially incorporated on June 10, 2025, FISTCOP’s primary role is to bridge the persistent gap between the legal recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8371) and their actual realization on the ground.

FISTCOP’s overarching objective is to empower Indigenous Peoples to achieve self-determined development, safeguarding their ancestral lands, cultural integrity, and socio-economic well-being. This involves serving as a unified voice for diverse Indigenous Sectoral Tribal Councils through advocacy and representation. The organization is mandated to actively protect and promote inherent IP rights, including ancestral domains, self-governance, and cultural integrity, while also addressing negative external pressures like those from extractive industries. FISTCOP also focuses on empowerment and capacity building to enhance communities’ abilities to assert their rights and manage their affairs, and works towards the socio-economic upliftment of its members by assisting in livelihood projects. Furthermore, cultural preservation and integrity are central to its mission, safeguarding traditional knowledge systems and customary laws intrinsically linked to IP identity and ancestral lands.