Our Founding Purpose and Core Role

The Federation of Indigenous Sectoral Tribal Councils of the Philippines, Inc. (FISTCOP) was established to serve as a pivotal force in bridging the persistent gap between the legal recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) rights under the landmark Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 and their actual realization on the ground. Despite this progressive legislation, IP communities in the Philippines continue to face significant marginalization. FISTCOP was founded to confront this challenge directly, acting as a unified voice and a direct implementer of support services.

Mission and Vision

Our overarching objective is to empower Indigenous Peoples to achieve self-determined development, safeguarding their ancestral lands, cultural integrity, and socio-economic well-being. We envision a future where the rights of all Indigenous Peoples are fully respected and upheld, and where they are active leaders in their own sustainable development.

Our Mandates and Purposes

FISTCOP’s work is guided by five core mandates that align with the foundational principles of IPRA:

• Advocacy and Representation: To serve as a unified voice for diverse Indigenous Sectoral Tribal Councils and ensure mandatory IP representation in policy-making bodies, in collaboration with agencies like the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
• Rights Protection and Promotion: To actively protect and promote inherent IP rights, including safeguarding ancestral domains, upholding self-governance, preserving cultural integrity, and addressing detrimental external pressures like extractive industries.
• Empowerment and Capacity Building: To enhance the capabilities of IP communities to assert their rights effectively, manage their own affairs, and pursue development paths that are self-determined and culturally appropriate.
• Socio-Economic Upliftment: To improve the living conditions of IP members by addressing their economic and social needs, including assisting in the establishment of agri-agro industrial projects and other sustainable livelihood enterprises.
• Cultural Preservation and Integrity: To safeguard the rich cultural heritage, traditional knowledge systems (IKSPs), and customary laws of IP communities, which are inextricably linked to their ancestral lands and identity.

Our Guiding Principles

Our approach is rooted in a deep respect for indigenous wisdom and a commitment to genuine partnership:

• Holistic and Integrated: We recognize the profound interconnectedness of ancestral lands, self-governance, social justice, and cultural integrity, understanding that a threat to one impacts all others.
• Community-Driven and Participatory: We act as a catalyst, enabling Indigenous Peoples to define and achieve their own development priorities with programs genuinely driven by community needs and traditional wisdom.
• Dual Strategy: We operate as both an advocate for stronger government enforcement and as a direct implementer of support services, filling the void left by the “incomplete implementation” of IPRA.
• Proactive Engagement: We prioritize pre-emptive legal and community organizing efforts to empower Indigenous Peoples before external pressures become overwhelming.
• Cultural Integration: We actively integrate and elevate traditional knowledge and customary laws in all our efforts, reinforcing cultural identity and self-determination.

Legal Status and Financial Standing

FISTCOP was incorporated on June 10, 2025, by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines (Company Registration Number: 20250602046050). We are registered as a non-stock corporation, meaning we are not organized for profit.

Crucial Disclaimer: FISTCOP is NOT authorized to solicit investments or investment-taking from the public without a secondary license from the SEC. It cannot issue, sell, or offer for sale securities (like shares of stock, investment contracts, or virtual currencies) without prior SEC approval. Any profit generated as an incident to our operation must be reinvested back into our mission and cannot be distributed as dividends to members, trustees, or officers.

Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Self-Determination

FISTCOP is unwavering in its commitment to transforming the promise of the IPRA into a lived reality. Through strategic partnerships, proactive advocacy, and culturally-rooted programs, we will continue to support Indigenous Peoples as they lead their own journeys toward a future of dignity, resilience, and genuine self-determination.